Rare Canadiana in Toronto auction

Geoffrey Bell Auctions will be featuring two rare and early pieces of Canadian history in its next auction at the Toronto Coin Expo October 2 and 3.

The auction is to be held at the Toronto Reference Library.

The first early historical group is of great importance particularly to the Canadian geology and mining sector. The lot originated from the fonds of Sir William Logan who founded the Geological Survey of Canada in 1842. Logan was born in Montreal, Quebec but educated in Scotland. He began his work in Wales researching coal seams. After the presentation of a paper in London, England, the Canadian government took notice and asked him to establish and head up the Geological Survey of Canada.

logan collectionOver his career, he was awarded 27 medals for his accomplishments. He was Canada’s commissioner at the Crystal Palace Exhibition 1851 and a set of medals presented to him reside in the Museum of Civilization in Ottawa. These items probably date from the inauguration of the Department of Mines in 1907, and were placed in the Logan fonds at that time, as they relate to the Geological Survey of Canada. A once in a lifetime opportunity to acquire a piece of Canadian history of supreme importance.

The lot consists of 3 buttons, a hat badge and a belt buckle.

The second item is a superb cane presented to E.B. Eddy of Hull, Quebec. Born in the United States, Eddy immigrated to Quebec in 1854 where he manufactured wooden matches and by 1856, he added wooden pails, tubs, clothes pins, washboards, etc. to his company’s products. He rebuilt his premises after two disastrous fires in 1882 and 1900. 20499160_3s

He became Mayor of Hull at different times and represented Ottawa legislative district in the Quebec Legislative Assembly from 1871 to 1875. It was in 1871 that his employees presented Eddy this cane. It is wooden with an engraved ivory dog at the top. A brass plate adorns the cane stating “To E.B. Eddy from His Employees 1st Jan., 1871”.

This rare item and many others rare coins, tokens and banknotes will be available for viewing at the Toronto Coin Expo prior to the
Geoffrey Bell Auction on Oct 2-3, 2014 at the Toronto Reference Library, located at 789 Yonge Street.

The Toronto Coin Expo is Canada’s premier coin and banknote show and auction, hosting world-renowned coin dealers. The public is invited to the bourse floor where 35 dealers will be offering coins, medals, tokens and banknotes from Canada and the world.

For full information,please visit www.torontocoinexpo.ca.

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