This Old Thing: Plane Helped Shape Local History

Q. I bought this plane from an antiques dealer for $15 about three years ago. It is marked ‘DRYBURGH N.E. HOPE ONT.’ on one end. It measures 23.5 long, 5.7 wide and 14 cm high (9.25 x 2.25 x 5.5 inches). I understand there are people that still use these old tools. Thank you for any history you can provide.

chess_set

Chess set

Peter, Kitchener, Ont.

A. Anyone making window sash the old way will want a plane like yours. It is made of beechwood and does two steps with one pass — it shapes the decorative outside half of the sash and forms the plain inside ledge where the glass pane is puttied in place. Originally, these steps were done separately with two planes. The decorative brass diamond washers surround the adjusting screws for different widths on your model. John Wilson Dryburgh began making planes in Dundee, Scotland in the 1840s and immigrated to Toronto in 1854. He continued his trade on a farm in the township of North Easthope, Perth County near Stratford. His son, John Jnr. continued in the trade in nearby Bright, Ontario. You have a scarce plane in excellent functional condition worth $125 today.

Q. I’ve had this chess set forever and I use it on this games table you assessed for me a while ago. The Queen is five cm tall (two inches) and the pawn is 2.5 cm (one inch). I am hoping you can date the set and give an estimate of value. Thanks.

Berry, Motherwell, Ontario

A. The game of chess is centuries old and pieces have been made from every conceivable material, including precious metals and gems. In 1835 Nathaniel Cook designed the Staunton chess pieces which became and remains the standard for use in chess tournaments. He was a friend of English master player, Howard Staunton who sanctioned the request. The Montgomery-Ward catalogue of 1895 sold Staunton style boxwood chess pieces, in a wooden box with sliding lid for one dollar which I believe is what you have. Boxwood is very hard and turns well. These sets continued to be sold for several decades unchanged in form. In 1895 a typist who could also take shorthand averaged $6.50 per week and six-room houses in Toronto could be found for rent at six dollars per month. The game has had a recent surge in interest and sets of almost any kind are hard to find. Today, a checkmate at the till will ring up $250.

Q. This pottery bowl was given to me by a long time collector of antiques. She apologized for giving me something that is so damaged but said it was rare and would be worth having provided I liked it. It has edge chips, a glued foot corner and, I think the pedestal has been repaired, as well. It is oval and 16.5 cm long (6.5 inches). It has no markings. I do like it and would appreciate knowing why she thought so highly of it.

Ruth, Toronto, Ont.

A. You have a very rare pink variegated or splashed lustreware bowl made by the Wedgwood firm circa 1812. Josiah Wedgwood had collected shells which inspired this design having shell swirls on the bowl and foot. Your bowl, part of a dessert service once had a lid. Lustre glazes were formed using metallic oxides. The hand-finished openwork pedestal is prone to damage. You would have to search high end auctions and museums to see another sample of this ware. In perfect it would realize $2,000. As it is, a serious appreciative collector would still pay $50 for a wonderful and rare object.

John Sewell is an antiques and fine art appraiser. To submit an item to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at 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 are accepted.) *Appraisal values are estimates only.*

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