I must confess....I am a newbie to the Newsgroups, out of sheer desperation. I live in a small hick town in North-Western Ontario, Canada....where I can't seem to get any reliable answers, and the searches I've done on the 'Net' have been nothing less than frustrating....so I'm turning to your group for a guiding hand. So any and all help will be appreciated.
Recently while cleaning out our basement I came across a picture done in charcoal titled 'A Wayside Inn' this is written on the matting around the drawing. It is dated Feb. 1915 0r 1815 (it's hard to tell...there is a slight water stain on that 2nd number...you can only see the top part of the number) it is 13.25'x9.25' out of the frame...with the frame it is 16x20 and is signed by R. G. Sikes. It is a beautiful piece, very detailed and the charcoal is in very good condition...it's still very silvery when the light hits it, although as I stated there are a couple of places on it that have small water spots...and there is some water damage on the back of the picture. It was in its original frame but was hidden behind a very old McDonalds placemat that you can turn into a book cover. I am trying to discern the value if any of these items. (Just curious about the McDonalds 'book cover'
My husband also brought me 5 lithographs that he saved from a fire restoration job that he was doing, where the insurance adjuster was going to just throw them away. All I know about the previous owner is that she is 79 and very eccentric...she has many antiques..or what's left of them. The prints are all stamped 'Fine Art Prints By Gellman'. The first is called 'Path in Forest' by Nicziky, numbered 433 size 11x14. Next I have 'Sylvan Solitude' by Lorenz, numbered 228 size 12x24. Then I have 'Forest Fantasy' by Harley, numbered 631 size 16x20. Then 'Sunset Shore' by Robert Wood (this is the only one that doesn't state that it is by Gellman but the stamping is identical otherwise)numbered 601 size 16x20. And last but not least is 'In the Woods' by Lorenz numbered 622 size 16x20. They are all in good condition but have a light layer of soot on them from being rescued from the fire. Other than the smoke damage they are very good condition...just a little fraying at the corners as she didn't have them in frames. Please if anyone can help me decipher if they are worth having cleaned it would be a great help.
One last thing ...just out of curiosity. My husband also rescued a Singer Sewing Machine. It came with the manual and accessory box...as well as the original tag from The Singer Manufacturing Co. Factory No. 8 St. Johns, P.Q.. The Stamping on the back of the tag state that it's a model 15-88 - 404 Walnut W/46912 . There is also another number stamped upside down in the corner 3945. Mechanically and structurally it is in very good condition...right down to the original 'drive belt'. There are a few water marks on the finish of the cabinet...from possibly plants???? The 'gold' markings on the machine itself are beautiful....and I am so excited to obtain such a beautiful piece.
Thankyou so much for your time and consideration.
