SILVER PICKLE FORK HAS SWEET HISTORY
Breadner-manufactured souvenir was part of grandmother's trousseau about 1920
Q I am so excited to have found something in my cutlery drawer that says `STERLING!!' I had recently heard that it can be valuable these days. So here I am sharing my granny's pickle fork, just for fun which was part of her trousseau when she arrived from Winnipeg by train to marry my grandfather, circa 1920. It is 12.7 cm long (five inches) and the name `WINNIPEG' decorates the flat handle back. It is also stamped `BM Co.' just above the tines. Thank you.
Barb, Kitchener, Ont.
A The history attached to your small fork is large and sweet. Samuel Breadner began his business in silver products at Carleton Place, Ont., around 1900. By 1910 Breadner Manufacturing Co. was established in Ottawa, with a factory specializing in tourist-related items like your fork and souvenir jewelry. Souvenir spoons became a large part of the production through acquisition of spoon dies from a bankrupt Montreal company. The firm also produced portable radios and insignia for the Armed Forces during the 1940s. By the 1950s the firm had relocated to Hull, Que., and was one of the largest makers of quality souvenir jewelry in Canada.
Any sterling silver items attract instant attention and your scarce and attractive heirloom with the spray of maple leaves will handle well $45.
Q My parents were interested in antiques and bought their first price guide – a 1972 Warman's 11th Antiques when I was a teenager. In it, I discovered this family green glass sugar bowl of theirs pictured and named as a pattern called `Dewey' with a value of $45. It had come from my paternal grandmother and it inspired our collecting. Thanks for your insight.
James, Brantford, Ont.
A Named and introduced in late 1898 for Admiral Dewey and his triumphs during the Spanish-american War earlier the same year, your canary coloured piece (often called vaseline) was made by the Indiana Tumbler and Goblet Co. of Greentown, Indiana – its products commonly called `Greentown Glass.' The factory began in 1894 and was absorbed into the combine of the National Glass Company during 1899 but continued to operate as it had until 1903 when the factory was destroyed by fire. Unique novelties in new colours and crisp pattern moulding contributed to company success. Greentown Glass has been heavily collected over the years but is less popular today. It is a beautiful piece worth $75 today.
Q This vase is my mother-inlaw's, who is now 93, which is a family heirloom from her mother. It was purchased in London and is approx. 125 years old. She once saw one in a museum in Montreal. The base is inscribed, in red with “Malvern, Flight, Barr & Barr, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester, London House, 1 Coventry Street” – also impressed with a crown and `FBB', and in black pen `1813.' It is 18 tall and 16.5 cm wide (7 x 6.5 inches). Thank you in advance. We would be delighted to have your opinion and weigh in on its approximate value.
Douglas, Ottawa
A Worcester porcelains are some of the finest existing due to the presence of soapstone in the body that allowed for delicate moulding and turning – the band of individually moulded and applied `pearls' illustrates this. Flight, Barr & Barr, the fourth partnership of this concern operated from 1813 to 1840 and your hand-painted dessert tureen, depicting the Priory at Malvern, Worcestershire in a cartouche surrounded by a beautiful lavender ground dates to the first eight years of this period. Any examples from this factory are rare and even though a lid would have been present originally this decorative historic record is worth $1,000 today.
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.*