HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Citizen, 2009-07-16, Page 17THE CITIZEN, THURSDAY, JULY 16, 2009. PAGE 17. Piece of Blyth history makes its way homeA piece of Blyth’s manufacturinghistory has returned after being awayfor over 100 years.
Harm Thalen, an antique
collector from Blyth, was at
an auction sale several
years ago in Brussels,
when he happened
upon an antique
sharpener. The
seller, however,
wasn’t selling that
particular item,
due to a lack of
interest. Thalen
named a price of
$5, which sent
him home with
the sharpener.
Not until
several years
later, did he do
some
investigating,
with the help of
local historian
and Blyth expert
Brock Vodden,
and eventually
discovered that
the sharpener
originated in Blyth,
made by the Blyth
Manufacturing
Company.
Thalen, who has an
extensive antique
collection, much of it Blyth-
centric, had no idea that the
sharpener had roots in Blyth.
“It looked old and it looked
interesting, so I named the man a
price,” Thalen said.Much of Thalen’s collectionconcentrates on some of the historicfamilies in Blyth and several piecesdedicated to Archie Montgomery
and his old business in Blyth.
He says he was quite surprised
to find out from Vodden that
the sharpener had a Blyth
connection.
After extensive
research, Vodden
found it was made as
a reaper and mower
knife sharpener.
The sharpener
was designed by
Blyth native
John Ross,
owner of the
Blyth
Manufacturing
Company.
After several
years, the
manufacturing
rights were sold
to Jameson and
Ashbury, who
continued to
operate under the
name of the Blyth
Manufacturing
Company.
Vodden found
articles in the New
Era referencing the
sharpener as early as
1891, with the patent
potentially dating back to
1886.
There was also some
discussion of the sharpener in an
1889 issue of the Huron Expositer.
Since purchasing the sharpener,
Thalen says there has been someinterest in it, particularly from one buyer in Michigan. However,he says, he is not interested in selling the item, not yet at
least.
He has been considering
refurbishing the sharpener and
restoring it to its original condition,as it is missing several parts.However, he says, he wouldn’t wantto add anything to the sharpener thatwasn’t authentic.
“If I’m going to fix it up, I’d
want to do it the right way,” he
said.
Recently Betty, Nicholas, Michael
and April Irwin attended a
family get-together at the
home of Lorna and Jim Ryder in
Innisfil.
Mr. and Mrs. Bruce Irwin of
Saskatchewan spent a few days
with Bruce’s mother, Betty Irwin
and visited with other family
members.
The community extends sincere
sympathy to Thomas and
Connie Black, Keith and Barb
Black, and Murray and Jane Black
on the recent loss of a dear sister
Joan Riley and to Jodie Riley and
Jason Horton on the loss of their
mother.
The community extends
congratulations to Adam and Cheryl
Garniss on the birth of their daughter
Ainsley Kristina, born on June 4 at
Listowel Memorial Hospital.
Congratulations to Carman and
Wilma Nixon who were married 50
years on June 27.
Congratulations to the graduating
class at East Wawanosh Public
School and to all the students who
received awards.
Hebo and Margaret Siertsema
celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary in Westfield with
friends and family travelling
from Western Canada and the
United States. Congratulations
and best wishes are extended
from the community.
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By Shawn LoughlinThe Citizen
Good find
Harm Thalen (above) with the
sharpener he purchased at an
auction for just $5. The
sharpener was originally made
by the Blyth Manufacturing
Company and designed by
John Ross (left). (Thalen - Shawn
Loughlin photo, Ross - Photo submitted)
There were a number of
inaccuracies in the July 9 story on
the 50th wedding anniversary of
Lavern and Marion Godkin.
The Godkins’ daughter Nancy
Schmeltzer is married to Richard, the
pair retired from farming in 2006,
they honeymooned through
Huntsville, Algonquin Park, North
Bay, Sudbury and around the
Georgian Bay area and while
farming, Marion was also a teacher.
In addition, The Citizen should
have stated that Marion Godkin is a
member of the Walton Women’s
Institute.
We apologize for the error.
Let’s clear
this up