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Winter Fun |
The history and charm of vintage sleds.
Just about every city or town in Canada has a popular sledding hill.
It’s one of the great childhood memories of winter time where even the
cold weather would become bearable if there was fun to be had racing
downhill on a sled or toboggan.
Wooden toboggans were used by many aboriginal tribes in Canada,
including the Cree and Innu, as well as the Anishinabe peoples. In
regions covered by snow for months at a time, a sled was the most
efficient way of transporting resources or family long distances across
different terrains.
Around 1800, a horse-drawn snow sled for carrying people was invented
and became known as a cutter. It’s a lightweight open sled that usually
has a seat for two people.
As a sport, sledding has its origins in Switzerland in the small resort
town of St. Moritz shortly after the arrival of English tourists in the
early 1870s.
In the mid-1800’s sleds became more of a recreational toy used for snow
coasting, as it was known in the 1800s, rather than a functional
implement.
In 1889, Samuel Leeds Allen invented and patented his Flexible Flyer –
the first steerable runner sled. Allen’s company flourished and in 1915
they sold around 120,000 Flexible Flyers.
Today, vintage sleds can be found in all shapes and sizes with prices
ranging from $25 to $3500. The early Flexible Flyers can cost up to $500
or more depending upon condition.
Over the last 200 years we’ve seen the evolution from dogsleds to
bobsleds and everything in between.
Whether it’s the enthralling experience of zipping down a schoolyard
hill and spilling headfirst into a pile of snow or trying to beat the
clock at an Olympic event, people all over the northern hemisphere are
enjoying this winter pastime.
At the Carswell’s Red Deer, AB show in November, Canadian Picker Scott
Cozens holds a primitive sled circa 1870 from Quebec.
The 31 1/2” long
wooden sled with metal rails is priced at $455.
Laura Budd, owner of Cozy Cottage Interiors in Calgary and Okotoks sits
among a variety of sleds from the 1890s to the 1950s.
Some from
Saskatchewan, the larger one from the Lethbridge, AB area and the
Lightning Guider in the back comes from Pennsylvania: $75-$795.
A selection of vintage sleds seen in the Picker’s Paradise section of
All Through The House & Red Barn Mercantile in Okotoks, AB: $48-$135.
A smaller reconditioned vintage cutter from Archer’s Antiques in Bragg
Creek, AB: $3500
Vintage sled from Old Strathcona Antique Mall in Edmonton.
Red painted
metal frame and runners with three yellow wooden slats: $80
– Treasures Photos
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Nanton Shop gets greener |
NANTON, AB – Terry Dixon, owner of
Sentimental Journey Antiques on Hwy 2 North in Nanton, AB, is
adamantly committed to the principles of re-using and re-purposing.
She just recently took her passion one step further by installing
solar panels on the roof of her 9,000 sq ft shop located in Nanton’s
historic Keeley building.
“Solar energy is one of the best ways
to make a real contribution to sustainability,” Dixon said. “I
wanted to become a producer of clean renewable solar energy – to be
part of the solution and gain energy independence…and also lower my
utility bills.”
So far, she’s had 12 panels installed on the roof plus extra racking
and wiring for six more panels to be added at a later date.
The Sharp NDU-230 watt panels are six feet wide by 30 feet long.
They use a Sunenergy 5,000 watt inverter made locally by Sustainable
Energy Technology in Calgary.
Dixon can track how much energy her
solar panels are producing. “We receive live information on our
computer in the store. It shows us real time daily, weekly, monthly
and year-to-date data,” she explained.
The panels, racking and installation
cost Dixon $6.50 per watt of installed power and she’s spent $18,000
to date. She’s already noticed a savings in her store’s electricity
costs but says the energy companies need to lower their demand
charges.
“I did this out of the passion to go
green and to lead the community,” Dixon said. “We all need to move
towards lowering our carbon footprint. More and more people
want to become part of the solution and solar energy is one of the
best ways to make a real contribution.”
Visit
www.sentimentaljourneyantiques.ca.
Solar panels in racking prior to installation.
Crane helping to install solar panels on roof of
antique store.
– photos courtesy Terry Dixon
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We Canadians live with snow in more
ways than one. The Inuit have many names that describe all the
different kinds of the white stuff.
However, we do tend to have a liking
for snowy scenes in the framed artworks on our walls. When I visit
my appraisal customers’ homes, I am amazed at the influence of snow
in their artistic tastes. Not only do artists paint snowy scenes, we
actually buy this art!
Why are we so enamored with pictures
that include snow? Maybe it is because we sort of love the stuff?
And have learned to live with it and embrace its challenges.
I have noted a true lack of sunny
paintings from warmer climes such as the Caribbean and Mexico.
Many Canadian artists have staked
their fortunes on icy scenes. The painters in the Group of Seven are
examples of this, and others like Graham Norwell, Ernest Dalton and
Allen Sapp.
Quebec artists by the hundreds have
also been inspired producing works about skating, hockey, good old
maple syrup shacks, and frozen waterfalls.
I cannot see a day when all this
wonderful Canadian art will go to the great recycling depot in the
sky. Maybe some, however, will show up in antiques shops and Value
Village.
In the meantime, pull the drapes and
snuggle up to a roaring fire and admire the frozen glow of your
snowy paintings.
Peter S. Blundell, AA, is an independent art and antiques appraiser,
consultant and lecturer.
Visit
www.blundellartandantiques.com.
Painting by Ernest Dalton, sight size is 20” x 25”. Approximate
value: $8,500 at auction.
– photo courtesy Peter Blundell |
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