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Q This box was stored for many years because no one knew what it was doing. It remained a mystery until we discovered that he magnified images like old postcards and photos to see their details. It belonged to my great-grandmother from Holland, who immigrated to Canada with her family in 1927. It was passed down through the female relatives to our family. It measures 35 length x 22 width x 10 cm high (13.75 x 8.75 x 4 inches). The brown wood is in lacquered veneer and there is the manufacturer’s label “OH Meder, Leipzig” on the bottom. Other than a few loose veneers, it is in very good condition and still works. I hope you can help us understand where it came from and its value today. Sincerely,

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Janice, Kitchener

A I’m glad you’re interested and pursued the mystery. You have a graphoscope for viewing card-mounted photographs – business cards (visiting cards) and larger cabinet cards. This development in photography occurred in the mid-1860s and made photographs more affordable to the general public. Viewers have become popular. Celebrity photo cards have also become popular, being less expensive to produce. Postcards came later, in the next century, but could also be used. The photo mount slides back and forth to focus. These devices are not common, but this is one of the most basic versions. I suspect Meder was a retailer of various optical gear in the late 1800’s. The condition is quite good and my “take” on its value is $275.

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Q Years ago I was given this blue vase and I would really like to know more. It measures 15 cm in height (6 inches) and 6.3 cm in diameter at the base (2.5 inches). Can you help ?

Brian, Ottawa

A Yes. I can. Your beautiful blue opal glass vase – sometimes called blue clambroth – is slightly opaque to the point of being translucent. Fine bubbles often appear in the mixture, like in yours. This color was made in Europe by French, Bohemian and English glassmakers. There will be a pontil mark from the chalumeau on the underside of the base indicating that it is blown glass. The hand enameling is very Art Nouveau with commas and scrolls often used around 1900. There would have been a companion originally. The shape strongly suggests a bohemian maker. The color was used as early as the Great Exhibition of 1851 – shown at the Crystal Palace. It’s a fine example but you’ll need a collector with an appreciative eye to realize its $75 value.

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Q I inherited a small oil painting of the English countryside from my grandfather, who emigrated near Derbyshire, England in 1902. It has remained on display in the family ever since. The canvas measures 20 x 30.5 cm (8 x 12 inches) but is quite detailed. The inscription on the back reads ‘Chas L. Shaw, 1882.’ I had it cropped about 30 years ago. I would be very interested to know something about the artist and his estimated value, if any? Thank you.

Brian, Ottawa Hull

A Charles L. Shaw (1853-1903) was born in Walsall, England and is known as a landscape painter. He was a member of the Nottingham Society of Artists in England, where he exhibited at least 33 pieces during the period 1880 to 1898. He painted locally and in Wales and Scotland, capturing popular genre subjects from characters on paths, misty mountains, seashores and streams, city scenes, fishing, thatched cottages and – like yours – sheep in bucolic settings. He strove to capture light and atmospheric events. Shaw is also known as a lace maker. His works are sold regularly by good auction houses but not in large numbers. The quality is very high and it’s good value at $450.

John Sewell is an appraiser of antiques and works of art. To submit an article to his column, go to the ‘Contact John’ page at www.johnsewellantiques.ca. Please measure your part, say when and how you got it, what you paid for, and list all identifying marks. A high resolution jpeg photo must also be included. (Only email submissions are accepted.)

* Appraisal values ​​are estimates only.*