STEAM POWER ANIMATES VALUE
Q This item (which I believe is a variety of praxinoscope) has been in my family for many decades. The wooden base measures 41 by 12 by 17 cm high to the top of the carousel (16 x 4.75 x 6.75 inches).
As you can see, I haven’t made any attempt to polish the metal surfaces. There are about 10 image strips. The initials E.P. (possibly Ernst Plank) appear both on top of the carousel and on the base plate. Everything moves freely. It’s an extremely interesting device.
Thanks in advance for any information you can provide. — Nash, Ottawa
A You are correct. The front part of your curious machine is a praxinoscope — a sort of viewer for early animation. The technology was first invented by Frenchman Charles-Emile Reynaud (1844-1918) in 1877, and succeeded the zoetrope, which used slits to view the images. This one employs a circle of mirrors, which picks up the images lining the outside of the larger outer drum. When both are turned together they create the illusion of motion.
Ernst Plank added a steam engine to propel the praxinoscope by a series of pulleys, and called his machine a kinematofor.
This is apparently the rarest of the several versions he produced. Good for you to resisting polishing.
As is, it’s worth about $6,000.
Q This item belonged to my father-in-law who was an expert in model ship building, and also served as a wireless operator for Canada in the 1930s.
I am not sure exactly what this was used for, but believe it might be connected to charting a tall ship’s course. It is 38 cm long and 5.7 cm wide (15 x 2.25 inches). The rollers at both ends turn when it is placed on a flat surface since they extend through the ruler. It is marked “made in England,” and ‘CAPT FIELD’S IMPROVED.’
I would appreciate identification and any value it might have. Thank you. — Gail, Ottawa
A What you have is a rollingstyle parallel rule, and it was used for drawing parallel lines on nautical charts. The “Capt Field” was William Andrew Field (17901870 circa) of Pembrokeshire, England, who improved on rulers a few times.
This one features “protracted” graduations and directional marks to make reading and lining up with compass bearings easier. It also boasts elevated rollers to avoid smeared ink when the rule was moved to draw another line.
This style was invented in the 1830s, and examples made entirely of brass were offered and used until at least into the 1930s. I’d date this to the early 1900s, and believe it to be made of boxwood and brass. They are not easy to find, especially in such good condition. It’s worth about $90. Q My wife helped an elderly friend move to a retirement home and was given this painting. My own research has found that it is a very popular scene from the Hudson River School, “Mouth of the Moodna on the Hudson” and was originally done as an engraving circa 1870. This is oil on canvas and is 56 by 71 cm (22 x 28 inches) and was painted by L.E. Browning and dated January 9, 1879, at Wadsworth, Ohio. I would be pleased to have any information you may offer. — Peter, Kemptville
A The original painting was done by David Johnson circa 1869 and an engraving of it appeared in a two-volume book set called Picturesque America, edited by William Bryant.
The book was first published in 1872 and then in 1874 as a twovolume set. The books were part of an effort to create interest in art and tourism, and this scene is a popular one.
You have a well-executed folk painting, and the artist has added some boaters and a sailboat for interest, but has otherwise followed the print closely. Artists did this both for pleasure and as income augmentation.
There will be much interest south of the border for this piece by a currently unknown artist. Tough to value, but should easily begin at auction at the $750 mark. John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your piece, say when and how you got it, what you paid and list any identifying marks. A high-resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions accepted.) * Appraisal values are estimates only.*