Bazaar provides valuable park view
QMy daughter bought this picture at a recent bazaar with the intention of removing the picture and painting the frame white. When she turned it over, she saw the writing “This is valuable — One of a kind.” The writing along the bottom front mat edge, in part says “… Park, N.” The photo is 16 by 11 centimetres (6.25 by 4.25 inches). I have tried to do some research but can find nothing. I am excited to find out about the photo.
• Barbara, Ottawa
AYou do have quite a rare image of Grafton Park, Halifax taken by Nova Scotian photographer Wallace R. MacAskill (1890-1956). He studied photography in New York City and after settling in Halifax opened a studio as well as working as a newspaper photographer. The photographs, like yours are soft focus. MacAskill had a serious interest in sailing and concentrated on nautical subjects, including the famed racing and fishing schooner Bluenose. The park space, located at the corner of Spring Garden Road and Grafton Street, has changed over time and now includes a renowned statue of Winston Churchill. The cars, circa 1930, date this historically interesting photo. Collectors will pay about $125 for your daughter’s find. Q I’ve had this interesting glass figurine for about 40 years. I picked it up at the local flea market in Stittsville, Ont. and was always fascinated by it. It stands 12.5 cm tall (5 inches). I paid about $20 for it, which at that time was a bit of money for a trinket. There is a foil label on the bottom that says Bohemia Glass, Czekoslovakia and has a circular symbol as well. I’m hoping you can inform me about it.
• Lorraine, Osgoode, Ont. A
The history of your figure starts in a Czech Republic town called Zelezny Brod, where Jaroslav Brychta ran a glass-making school in the 1920s. Like yours, these free-form glass figures evolved there and are still made today. In 1948 the Zelezny Brod Sklo glass enterprise (ZBS) was formed — the company symbol within your label design. Your unusual figure of a caped man holding a skull is alluring, probably made during the 1950s or ’60s and will find a buyer for $150. Q I have this porcelain sign with printing on only one side. The lower right-hand corner has the name “Acton Burrows Ltd. Toronto.” It is 30 cm high by 46 cm wide (12 by 18 inches). I was just looking for an estimate of value as I cannot find it online. • Corinne, Durham, Ont. A
This sign is shrouded in mystery. There are mentions of
The Equity Fire Insurance Co. of Canada circa 1909. This subsidiary of Kansas-based Equity Fire Insurance appears to have gone out of business in Canada in 1914. There is also little concrete information about Acton Burrows Ltd. — a publishing company that also acted as agent for a GNW Telegraph Company sign. The very dynamic Charles Acton Burrows (1853-1948) was president — a man lauded for his “excellent sense of values and mature judgment” who worked in the newspaper business in Elora, Guelph and Winnipeg, lived in Ottawa and Toronto, and founded a Canadian magazine devoted to transportation that flourished for more than a century. Advertising experts Ethan and Justin Miller — owners of Miller & Miller Auctions of New Hamburg, Ont. — note that your uncommon sign is typical of “porcelain” signs of this period with the cobalt blue and white enamel on metal. While insurance is not as desirable a subject as some other commercial products (e.g. Coca-Cola), it is in very good condition and should command $300 at auction.