Dear Secondhandsavvy,
My mother passed away last year and in going through her bookshelves, I came across this book by E. Pauline Johnson called Flint and Feather. It is a 7th Edition in a leather case and was published by The Musson Book Company in 1921. I would like to hold on to it as a keepsake but would like to know what it might be worth.
Joan, North Vancouver

Dear Joan,
Flint and Feather - E. Pauline Johnson (Tekahionwake). Probably Canada's best known Mohawk author, this was her best book and it has been a steady seller in Canada since 1912, and the most famous by any Canadian Indian creative writer, born in 1862 on the Mohawk Indian Reserve near Brantford, Ontario. The 7th. Edition from 1912 was bound up in many ways, but most popular was a limp leather binding with decorative endpapers, there are also cloth bindings which are a little more economical. Price range is anywhere from US $30 to US $120, depending on the overall condition. First editions in good condition are only very slightly more expensive.

Dear Secondhandsavvy,
I recently purchased a 1915 copy of Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery at a thrift sale for $10. I would like to give it to a friend who recently visited PEI and I would like to provide her with some of the details of the book.
Alison, Tsawwassen

Dear Alison,

Anne of the Island by Lucy Maud Montgomery is one of the Anne of Green Gables series. Here again a very popular book but in very good condition would go for anywhere from US $40 - US $125. Here a first edition would be worth about US $600.

Book Reviews by John King of J. King, Bookseller

John King has been an avid book collector for 40 years or more. He started his own Internet selling business three years ago, dealing in Rare and Antiquarian Books. His specialities are military, espionage, terrorism, fine press books, western Americana, travel and exploration, and early printed books from the 16th and 17th Centuries in Latin. He was born in London and was educated in England, Switzerland, Spain, and Canada.

Dear Secondhandsavvy,
My mother received this basket from a friend about 20 years ago. It had up until that point been used as a basket for storage (not just a showpiece). We know it is West Coast weaving, but none of the specifics. There is a bit of damage on the top. Can you find out a bit more about this basket and what it might be worth? How should we clean it?
Thanks,
Rhonda, Victoria

Dear Rhonda,
It's a nice one! Definitely Salish, woven from cedar strips and cherry bark for imbrication. Baskets with fitted lids are of course a more rare and hard to find than those without lids. I would put its age at around 100 years, or more.

Regarding a selling price of the basket, depending on the buyers at the auction it could sell for as little as $150 or go as high as $300. In an art gallery it could be priced as high as $600-$750 - although it might take a little time to find a buyer. Insure it for the higher quote.

The damage is not extensive and is to be expected on a basket of that age. As far as cleaning goes, a damp cloth wiped carefully over the weaving should work. Also, some collectors give their baskets an annual bath of warm water, and let air dry naturally. Direct sunlight on the basket and extreme heat fluctuations in its environment are to be avoided.

Penn George is a long time admirer of North West Coast Aboriginal culture and artworks, in particular wood and metal carvings and Salish basketry. She offers her many years of knowledge and experience to other enthusiasts and collectors interested in acquisitions, appraisals and care.
Penn George
Web: www.saltspring.com/art/view.htm
Email: cyberrgal@saltspring.com

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