The pickle fork spins a sweet story

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q I’m so excited to have found something in my cutlery drawer that says ‘STERLING!!’ I recently heard that it can be valuable these days. So here I am sharing my grandmother’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’s five inches long. and the name ‘WINNIPEG’ decorates it. the flat handle towards the back. It is also stamped ‘BM Co.’ just above the spikes. Thank you.

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Barb, Kitchener, Ont.

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TO The story attached to your little fork is big and sweet. Samuel Breadner began his silver products business in Carleton Place, Ontario, around 1900. In 1910 Breadner Manufacturing Co. was established in Ottawa, with a factory specializing in tourism-related items such as forks and souvenir jewelry. Souvenir spoons became a large part of the production through the acquisition of spoon dies from a bankrupt Montreal company. The firm also produced portable radios and badges for the Armed Forces during the 1940s. By the 1950s, the company had moved to Hull, Que., and was one of the largest manufacturers of quality souvenir jewelry in Canada . Any sterling silver item attracts instant attention, and your scarce, attractive family heirloom with maple leaf corsage will cost well at $45.

q My parents were interested in antiques and bought their first price guide: a 1972 Warman’s 11.th Antiques when I was a teenager. In it, I discovered this familiar green glass sugar bowl pictured and named after a pattern called ‘Dewey’ worth $45. He came from my paternal grandmother and inspired our collecting. Thanks for your knowledge.

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James, Brantford, Ont.

TO Named and introduced in late 1898 in honor of Admiral Dewey and his triumphs during the Spanish-American War earlier the same year, his canary-colored piece (often called vaseline) was made by the Indiana Glass and Cup Co. of Greentown, Indiana, their products commonly called ‘Greentown Glass’. The factory began in 1894 and was absorbed by the combined National Glass Company during 1899, but continued to operate as it had until 1903, when the factory was destroyed by fire. Unique innovations in new colors and sharply patterned moldings contributed to the company’s success. Greentown Glass has been widely collected over the years, but is less popular today. It is a beautiful piece that is worth $75 today.

q This vase belongs to my mother-in-law, who is now 93 years old, and is a family heirloom from her mother. It was purchased in London and measures approx. 125 years. He once saw one in a museum in Montreal. The base is inscribed in red “Malvern, Flight, Barr & Barr, Royal Porcelain Works, Worcester, London House, 1 Coventry Street”, also printed with a crown and “FBB”, and in black pen “1813”. Measures 18 tall and 16.5 cm wide (7 x 6.5 inches). Thanks in advance. We will be happy to hear your opinion and assess its approximate value.

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Douglas, Ottawa

TO Worcester porcelains are some of the finest in existence due to the presence of soapstone in the body which allowed for delicate shaping and turning; the band of individually molded and applied ‘pearls’ illustrates this. Flight, Barr & Barr, the fourth partnership of this firm operated from 1813 to 1840 and its hand-painted tureen, depicting Malvern Priory, Worcestershire, on a cartouche surrounded by a beautiful lavender background, dates from the first eight years of this period. . Any example from this factory is rare and, although a cover would originally have been present, this decorative historical record is worth $1,000 today.

 John Sewell is an antiques and fine arts appraiser. To submit an article to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page on www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Measure your piece, say when and how you got it, how much you paid, and list identifying marks. A high resolution jpeg photograph must also be included. (Only email submissions are accepted.)

*Appraisal values ​​are estimates only.*

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