Readers this month submitted an exceptionally diverse set of inquiries, ranging from a mid-20th century Quinault baby carrier from our Pacific Northwest to a 15th-century book leaf depicting Cleopatra. A colorful rocking horse, a souvenir from Moscow, and a World War II “Ghost” division insignia helped fill out these fascinating mementos. I want to thank Jeremy Breedlove, owner of Daedalus Books in Portland, for his help in understanding the Liber Chronicarum book page. I also express my thanks to Arthur Erickson, owner of Arthur W. Erickson Inc. Old Native Arts and Unusual Antiques in Portland, for help in understanding the Quinault baby carrier.
Hand-colored book page
This page is from the Liber Chronicarum by Hartmann Schedel, commonly called the Nuremberg Chronicle.Courtesy of the collector
Q: I have this framed German sheet; it appears to be printed on both sides. I’m wondering if it was a play advertisement. The sheet itself measures 9 ½ inches by 15 inches. Anything you could tell me about this will be appreciated. V.K., Portland
A: Your page is from the Liber Chronicarum by Hartmann Schedel, commonly called the Nuremberg Chronicle. This was a history of the Christian world from the beginning of time until the early 1490s. It was first printed in Nuremberg by Anton Koberger in 1493. It was published in Latin and German editions; your page is from the German version. It was the most extensively illustrated book of the 15th century. Your page is page 89v. It has had the edges trimmed. Cleopatra is depicted at the lower left, and Ptolemaeus XII Neos Dionysos at the upper left. Several subsequent pirated editions were soon published, and it would take a personal inspection and further research to determine if your page is from the original edition. Hand-colored pages from the first edition have recently sold in the $100-$1,000 range at auction, depending on the content, images depicted, and condition. Pages with hand-colored illustrations from the first editions are currently offered by dealers in the $400-$900 price range, again depending on the subject and imagery. Complete books have recently sold for over $90,000 at auction.
Carved rocking horse
This rocking horse was likely carved in Bali, Indonesia, and dates to the late 20th or 21st century.Courtesy of the collector
Q: I’d like to know the value of this carved rocking horse. It is approximately 16 inches in height and 14 inches in length. Thank you. C.M., Vancouver
A: Your rocking horse was likely carved in Bali, Indonesia, and dates to the late 20th or 21st century. It was made a nice decorative piece. At an auction, you might see an estimate of $30-$50. Similar rocking horses are currently offered in shops specializing in home décor with list prices of $175-$225.
Quinault baby carrier
This baby carrier appears to be made of split willow, and the shoulder straps, called “tumplines,” appear to be woven of wool.Courtesy of the collector
Q: This Native American child carrier was made for my mother in 1956 or 1957. She was an avid horsewoman who often rode and camped with my father and their neighbors and an aunt of the neighbors. When she became pregnant with my sister—born February 1957 — they all discussed how my mother would continue to ride with a baby. The aunt had this carrier made by a friend of hers. The friend was said to be Mattie Howeattle, who was well respected for her handcraft work that included basketry and dolls in the Quinault tradition. Howeattle would have been about 96 years old when she made the carrier for my mother. It is said that Howeattle reminded the aunt that such carriers were not used anymore, but she made it anyway. My mom will turn 100 this year. The carrier is 26 inches tall, 11 inches wide, and 4 ½ inches deep. Anything you might tell me about this carrier or its worth will be appreciated. K.L., Portland.
A: Your baby carrier is a unique piece. My research discovered that Mattie was born in 1861 and lived all of her life in LaPush, Hoh and Taholah, Washington. She was the daughter of Bachalowsuk Wheeler, who was a Quinault chief. She was married to Washington Howeattle, who was a representative of the Quinault Council. Quinault baby carriers were traditionally made using a rigid board. The Quinault are known for using a wide variety of materials in basketry in the 20th century. Your carrier appears to be made of split willow, and the shoulder straps, called “tumplines,” appear to be woven of wool. Your carrier is unusual, so it isn’t easy to understand what it might sell for at auction. You might see an estimate of $100-$150. A dealer in 20th-century Native American artworks might ask $200-$300, or perhaps even more, for such a carrier if in excellent and undamaged condition.
Red Star pin
This award is the Order of the Red Star, a military decoration of the Soviet Union.Courtesy of the collector
Q: I bought this as a souvenir in Moscow in 1994 on vacation. I was told it was awarded in World War II for bravery. Anything you can tell me about it will be appreciated. J.R., Gresham.
A: Your award is the Order of the Red Star, a military decoration of the Soviet Union. This award was established in 1930 and was awarded for outstanding service in defense of the Soviet Union in both war and peace times. Your award is made of enamel on silver, and the serial number on the back was hand engraved. Based on your serial number (1,552097), yours was awarded in the summer of 1945 and was almost certainly awarded for events during World War II. Similar awards have recently sold at auction in the $75-$100 range. Dealers specializing in vintage memorabilia are asking $150-$200 for an Order of the Red Star of similar age and condition to yours.
Second World War military patch
This patch is a World War II-era insignia made for the U.S. Army.Courtesy of the collector
Q: My dad gave me this patch. He told me that he got it after World War II when he was a kid and that it came in a cereal box. Can you tell me what it is and what it is for? It is 2 ¾ inches in height. Thanks, I.K. Portland.
A: Your patch is a World War II-era insignia made for the U.S. Army. It was made for the 108th Infantry Division. Interestingly, this was a “Ghost” division and was formed to deceive the Axis about what forces the U.S. had. Our government went to the trouble of having thousands of patches manufactured as they would for other, actual divisions. The implement represented on the patch is a mace. After the war, for a time, various cereal companies did indeed include original U.S. military patches in cereal boxes as a premium so your father’s story sounds accurate. These days, similar patches have sold at auction in the $15-$25 price range, and dealers specializing in original memorabilia might ask $25-$35 for such an insignia.
About Today’s Collectibles
The values discussed for items featured in this column were researched by Portland appraiser Jerry L. Dobesh, ASA, an Accredited Senior Appraiser with the American Society of Appraisers, with a specialty designation in Antiques & Decorative Arts. His services include providing appraisals for estate tax, charitable contribution, insurance scheduling and loss, and equitable distribution needs.
To find an appraiser, contact the American Society of Appraisers, the International Society of Appraisers, or the Appraisers Association of America. Estimates suggested in this Collectibles column are for general information purposes only and cannot be used as a basis for sale, insurance, or IRS purposes.
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