Hi Michael:
I'm assuming your question and comments are in relation to the Robertson 'display sample' canoe that i referenced, and which accompanied the copy of the 1910 catalogue. First let me say that I do not quibble with the essence of your comments; they are all quite valid. I agree that very often many owner comments, long-held 'family lore' and alleged/cherished ancestral 'historical facts' related to antiques/collectibles (canoes included) are or can be very inaccurately based, skewed, wrongly remembered or even fictitious and imagined. One always has to take such proffered info with a heavy grain of salt. I usually disregard much of what I am first told about family heirlooms, unless it's recent reliable, first-hand, provable and/or documented. Personally, I rely much more upon what my eyes tell me, what my hands sense and what my overall experience of half-a-lifetime instinctively suggest. Part of that is through making mental comparisons to known similar items of established and unquestioned age, authenticity, etc.
When it came to visually assessing/inspecting the Robertson canoe model, it seemed fairly evident that it was likely a product of at least the first quarter of the 20th C. I believe that past experience in seeing/handling canoes, both full-size and miniature, dating from the 1860's to the present, gave me sufficient background to presume that it was not so early (i.e, pre 1900), but equally not 'modern', nor likely from the 2nd quarter 20th C. (1935) onward. One looks at oxidization, surface, patina, construction, materials. At that point, I had not even looked at the accompanying catalogue, which wasn't even shown to me or alluded to by the owner, who had no true inkling of its date in any event. I simply went by what my eyes told me and my hands felt. And while I have made my share of mistakes in past, (and am not immune from suffering a few more), my gut told me I was likely making a 'safe' purchase. Part of what I also relied upon was my sense of the age of the 4 accompanying sample paddles. I was quite prepared when purchasing this package that the pieces could possibly be from perhaps ten years later in time, possibly 1935, or so, but not likely past that. Again, I relied on past experience in handling similar artifacts known to be of that period.
There are no other known sample canoes or paddles by Robertson of which I am aware, nor could I find. No evident comparisons could be made. As to suggesting a date for the canoe, only then did I turn to the Robertson catalogue; it seems unquestionably authentic. Family lore suggested that the catalogue and the canoe had been together for as long as they had been owned; a not unreasonable claim, though a later "marriage" was always a possibility, which I did not discount. The first challenge was to try to date the catalogue. My rationale for choosing 1910 is explained above, as based on date references which appear in the text. (I should point out that my catalogue copy is the middle of the three illustrated by Benson, above - i.e., circa 1909). That the display sample canoe itself was made by Robertson is affirmed by the brand name on the thwart and its "W" deck cut-out (see Dan Miller's comment, above), unless one wishes to raise the specter of fakery; I saw no reason to doubt its claimed origin. The sample bears the serial # 1038. Here, it is true, I speculated that the "10" could be the year of manufacture, and the "38" a production sequence #. The single "6", I presumed to be in reference to its length (close enough!). Then, assuming that the catalogue date of 1910 was reasonably correct, I took notice of p. 8 wherein a number of paddle styles are shown. It just so happens that paddle items 2, 7, 8 and the long-handled sculling oar are identical to the four sample paddles which accompany the canoe (see photos below). Of course, the paddles could have been a later "marriage", but here again, ownership history suggests a very strong likelihood that they have been together all along. The paddles, at least, clearly/identically match up in shape/style with those offered in the 1910 catalogue. Then, believing that there is a strong presumptive likelihood that all three elements have been together since leaving the factory (or at least the canoe and 4 sample paddles), I'm prepared to reasonably suggest provenance that everything dates to 1910. I have looked for other explanations, but have found none that fit as well. That's my story, and I'm sticking with it. BTW, I should point out that at no time did the family ever claim the canoe dated to 1910; that date attribution is entirely my own, based as explained above. All the former owner knew was that the canoe and paddles, along with an old copy of the catalogue had belonged to an aunt and uncle. His memory/knowledge of it began in the 1950's, while living with them on Cape Cod; the uncle had owned the canoe for some years, possibly dating back into the 1920's (or earlier), and once had been employed in a Massachusetts boat livery, a likely source of the canoe, paddles and catalogue. The items had not strayed far from their origin in Auburndale, MA. The timing was probable and reasonable. There was also some (albeit hazy) family lore that the uncle was an early 20th C. canoeist of some repute, and had been in line to participate in an early Olympic event, but for an unfortunate family illness which necessitated his staying at home and foregoing any competition. I tried without success to trace this story down; it may have involved a connection to Canada.
PS: It appears that photos of my Robertson sample canoe were attached to another Forum discussion post also dealing with Robertson, but may not have been seen by others following herein; thus, I am posting again.
Challenge if you like. I've never claimed great expertise in these matters, only 'hands on' experience. Prove me wrong; show me where my logic is faulty, so that I may correct my surmise and learn from my mistakes. Just do me the courtesy of explaining how and why you reach other conclusions.
