1927 Diamond Jubilee of Confederation wall plaque

3/16/2012

It was delightful meeting Ron McGuire, Canadian Military-Postal Historian, last Saturday. Since 1997, he has volunteered putting together exhibits for the Nepean Museum and he has many Canadian educational memorabilia.

Ron showed me a plaque found in a one-room school to commemorate the 60th anniversary of Canada 1867-1927. Schools across Canada recieved them and mounted them on their walls. Have any of you ever seen such a photograph or know more information about these plaques?

65 Comments

peter cummings

3/24/2012 12:41:50 am

I picked one up in a local auction recently. Any idea of the resale value?

Tracy Hegan

1/3/2013 04:30:55 am

Hi,
Found one at an antique store in Deseronto priced at 65 dollars but other than that know nothing of the value. Did you find out any more about it?

Betty Brannick-Swanson

8/10/2013 01:54:14 am

Saw 1 yesterday in an antique store for $220.00 and there are several on ebay. Don't remember seeing one before though I took all my schooling in Saskatchewan.

Angela Keown

4/15/2012 11:37:39 am

Thank you for posting about this plaque. We have one, my husband dug it out of the ground at the family farm

Brent Ezzard

7/24/2012 06:11:54 am

I picked one up at an auction in Edmonton 2 years ago. The one I have is pristine, never been hung, never been cleaned. It has a beautiful patina.

I found an article about the plaque in the Montreal Gazette - December 21, 1927 and it said -

With the co-operation of the various provincial governments in Canada the national committee for the celebration of the Diamond Jubilee of Confederation are placing a copper plaque, suitably framed, in every public and separate school building throughout Canada. The plaques are now in process of manufacture, and it is expected to have the bulk of them out by the end of the month.
The plaque, which is attractively designed, carries the motto, "Canada Our Country" for the English speaking communities and "Canada Notre Patrie" for the French Canadian sections. It is twenty by fourteen inches and, besides the motto, the Canadian coat of arms is superimposed, sourrounded by clusters of maple leaves. At the top is the word "Confederation" and at the sides "1867-1927", forming a permanent record of the historic event clebrated this year.
The plaque was first suggested by the chairman of the National Executive, Hon. George P. Graham.
The provincial prime ministers have been asked to arrange for some sort of patriotic unveiling ceremony in connection with placing the plaques in the schools.

mike karwandy

6/17/2013 11:25:06 am

I to found this plaque near one room school house. A bite banged up but still in ok condition.

Kelly Spaulding

6/23/2013 01:44:42 am

I also have one of these. It is in mint condition. Have not done a thing to it and was so happy to find this site. Sure would like more info as to value and such.

Renée Mathieu

7/7/2013 05:10:51 am

I have one that I found in an antique store. Not in good condition but I try to clean it.
So proud to be Canadian

Greg Gott

7/15/2013 11:10:54 am

Have the one that hung on the wall of the 'Cottage School 1912' in the Millican District / SE Calgary. They came with an oak frame.
I was a student at that school in '52-'53, '53-'54, and '54-'55.

Renée Mathieu

7/15/2013 12:12:23 pm

Thank you Greg, the oak frame is a very good idea.
But I want to tell that my plaque is in french so it is written Notre Pays instead of Our Country. But even if my father was born in USA, my mother was a french canadian, bo I am a Canadian.

John Maloney

9/22/2013 12:13:19 pm

We live on a property which use to have a one room school house on it. We were having Invisible fence installed when the installer hit something. It was one of these plaques.Luckily the operator lifted up the machine before it damaged the whole piece. I will be taking it to a metal worker to see what he can do to fix it. A piece of history. Unfortunately these things got buried along with the school when a lot of them were torn down. We have pictures of the school as well and will probably do a display on our wall for people to remember the old school.

Kevin Michael East

1/16/2014 02:18:55 am

I have two of these plates in excellent condition. The fiftieth anniversary of Confederation was not celebrated, nor were there any other Commonwealth celebrations in 1917, by royal proclamation. In 1927 they went a little crazy to make up for lost time... I have wondered if these plaques might have been given to schools or school children. Mine also came from an old school storage room cleared out in the 70's. I loaned one of them to our history teacher at our school, along with a T. Eaton's Co. Catalogue from the same year, yesterday.

Nancy Madden

5/11/2014 12:17:39 am

I found one in my mom's basementt. Tarnished and a bit banged up. Any idea on what it is worth or where I could sell it. From New Brunswick

Janet Hueglin Hartwick

7/1/2014 03:08:24 am

Hello. Is anyone interested in selling their Diamond Jubilee Confederation wall plaque? If so pls let me know.

Kind regards,
Janet

Jay

1/20/2015 09:48:19 am

Hi Janet,

I have one currently hanging in my living room, it was given to me by my Mother years ago. I knew nothing of it until I decided to "Google it" tonight out of curiosity. It's in excellent condition and is framed in what appears to be the original oak frame. I would consider selling it to you for $100 plus shipping costs, although it
is a nice piece, I'm not really attached to it. I know this posting is a few months old, regardless, let me know if you're still interested, I can take a few pictures if it and send them your way, no problem.

Regards,

Jay

Martin

2/7/2015 09:23:29 pm

I have one in hand that i would be willing to sell. I can send a picture if your interested.
Regards

Grant Carlson

1/2/2017 05:28:27 pm

I am interested in buying one. Can we talk?

Louise Fournier

1/1/2017 03:47:18 pm

We have one in french. Perfect condition if Antoine is interested

Grant Carlson

1/2/2017 06:53:45 am

I am interested in buying it. Let me know cost please.
Grant
[email protected]

gary

1/2/2017 11:52:35 am

Please let me know how much you want for the French one. (shipping included. I live in Chateauguay Quebec, J6J5M6....

Thanks...Gary

David Newton

9/5/2017 02:16:37 pm

do you still have the French plaque?

Steph

7/14/2014 04:58:57 am

My mother-in-law recently came across one of these plaques and we were wondering if anyone might be able to give us a rough idea of what this might be worth. It has been handed down through at least 3 generations that we know of, it is in very good condition and has a frame around it if that makes any difference. Or someone might be able to suggest a place in southwestern Ontario where we might be able to take it to get it appraised that would help also. Thank you.

Sherman Mitchell

9/9/2014 07:51:37 am

I removed a tree in my front yard ,as i was cleaning up the roots & such one of these plaques showed up. I live in Calling Lake Ab.Never heard of this thing before but found this site so i thought I would leave a message.Quite interested in the info

Justina

1/23/2015 08:20:52 am

Does anyone have an idea of how many were made? Found one buried in a back yard.

Kevin Michael East

1/24/2015 09:04:43 am

Allan O'Marra link

4/7/2015 07:05:45 am

I own the Maxwell Settlement schoolhouse (near Bancroft, Ontario), my family home starting in July 1955 (school was closed in 1947). When I was about 12 (1959 or so), the plaque that belonged to the schoolhouse was included in an auction--by the interim owner of the schoolhouse--at his farm nearby. I found out from him what the plaque was about and bid all I had ($1) and everyone thought it was so cute that a kid wanted it that no one bid against me. It's in excellent shape with original oak frame. And now hangs in the schoolhouse over the doorway.

tony brumell

10/11/2016 06:41:09 pm

I am origionaly from Cloyne but now reside in Kamloops BC.I found a
placque in an antique sale here just last week,I see alot of comments on this site wanting to know the value of thier placque,Priceless!!! A nice piece of Canadiana .I'm glad to read your account of your placque.Provinance is everything to a collector of Canadiana

david hofer

4/25/2015 08:13:30 am

Hi I found one...horses sat on it for years under trees,,,200 bucks I sell it

Roger

9/5/2018 10:54:45 am

Hi. Have you sold your 1927 plaque?
Roger

glen miller

5/31/2015 10:34:49 pm

one was stored in granary rafters near Edison School, a one room school in rural Manitoba. not in good shape but a lovely keepsake of Canada's real history minus all the 'social justice subjectivity' of today.

Jody

8/12/2015 07:06:15 am

I just picked up like that and auction. It has the certificate behind it in the frame. The certificate is a bit water damaged but still legible. Thinking of selling it? Has anyone recently valued these?

Grant Carlson

1/2/2017 07:01:39 am

I would be Interested in buying one

Brent Ezzard

10/5/2015 03:19:50 pm

Everybody is looking for a value on this item. It is very subjective. So please take the following as a very rough guide.

From what I have been able to discover, one in good shape without the original frame sells around $100 - $150 at auction. One that has its original frame but shows signs of cleaning - $200+. Plaques that have the original frame and have never been cleaned of the oxidation - $300-$500. These are all auction prices, retail prices will be higher.

Again it is subjective. It all depends on what the buyer is willing to pay and the seller is willing to accept. At auction 2 motivated bidders can drive the price very high or one bidder may get a good value.

Hope this helps.

jennifer earl

5/21/2016 03:48:16 pm

does anyone know who they were framed by originally or would they have been framed by various people. thanks

Brent Ezzard

5/22/2016 09:47:26 am

The sticker on my frame says 'Framed by Phillips Toronto Ltd' - 258-326 Carlaw Ave - Toronto

Louise

1/1/2017 03:50:04 pm

Is this valid for the french version also?

Pierre

1/31/2016 02:57:48 pm

Found one in an antique store near Victoria a few years ago. Mint but no frame. Bargained hard and got it for $75. Thanks for the info here. Since made out of metal, never thought they would have been used in schools. Somehow expected them be found outdoors, on government buildings perhaps.

Sandra RB

2/13/2016 12:01:29 pm

Hi there!
I just purchased a beautifully framed plaque, great shape. It was lovely to hear the history as My husband and I will be giving it to very dear friends from South Africa on the day they become Canadian Citizens. We know how important this day will be to them and as the plaque says "Canada, Our Country" I don't think we could have found a better gift for them. I do have to wait a few months but the wait will be worth it.

tony brumell

10/11/2016 06:46:12 pm

The best story yet.Just great!!!.I just found mine (placque) and value it highly.I will pass it on to family when I can

Jean Marc

6/12/2016 02:24:11 pm

i have a french version without frame

Pierre

6/12/2016 08:47:21 pm

Qu'est ce qu'il y a d'écrit sur la version française, Jean Marc?
Merci!

gary

8/23/2016 08:07:17 pm

Jean Marc, would you be interested in selling it. I already have the English version......

guy link

4/4/2017 02:48:21 pm

I would like to buy it. Need not be pristine

Jody Darrach

6/13/2016 02:52:50 am

Grant Carlson

11/3/2016 06:31:32 pm

I would be interested in buying one of these plaques. Thanks.

Kevin Michael East

11/11/2016 07:56:48 am

I would like to frame both of my plaques, using the same wood type, frame design and dimensions. If anyone could supply me with that information, I'd be very happy. The pictures I have seen look like a dark stained oak was used, but this might not apply to all of the plaques shipped. Is the factory that stamped them still around ?

This is so interesting--thank you for great posts. We too have one, frameless and a bit banged

4/1/2017 03:29:38 pm

We too have one of these. No frame and a bit banged up, but beautiful nonetheless. Found near Holden, AB.

Randy Welch

4/23/2017 07:54:40 am

I have had one of them in my family for over 50 years. My brother found it in a dump and retrieved it. Looks great...nice piece of history.

Martine Roy Fournier

5/1/2017 05:27:07 am

Nous avons aussi un cadre comme celui-ci,nous l'avons nettoyer à l'avant seulement, il est en très bon état. Nous sommes intéressés à le vendre.

Francois Bergeron

5/16/2017 03:18:59 pm

I'm looking for one for about less then $50 ,depend the shape
I'm in the Ottawa area, i can come and pick it up in the Ontario and Quebec
Thank you

Tom Lymbery

5/18/2017 10:10:33 pm

Our Gray Creek BC Community Hall was built in 1912 in order to have a school for Gray Creek. I attended this school from 1933 to 1942.
The plaque is still on the wall where it was placed in 1927.
Ours is the only log community hall built before WW I in Canada that is still beautifully maintained and in regular use .

Tom Lymbery link

5/18/2017 10:19:19 pm

I forgot to include our Hall Website with my earlier post.
Please look at the photos
I will see if a photo of the plaque on the wall can be included in the website. I hadnt realized how important it is.

David

9/5/2017 02:23:20 pm

I have a well aged English version. Does anyone have a french version that they would be willing to sell me? Would love the pair to display in my old Victorian home.

Ron

5/3/2018 05:30:52 pm

Hi David,

I have a french plaque that I am willing to sell - $200 firm. It is unframed, but in excellent condition. The patina (oxidation) has not been cleaned. If interested, I can send you photos. Will need your email.

Ron

Grant Carlson

5/3/2018 08:34:59 pm

I just received an email on the French plaque. $200 firm. I would buy it. Send pictures please.
Thanks

Janet

2/21/2018 07:25:29 am

I have an English one in excellent condition, no frame, not cleaned. Looking to sell.

Grant

3/31/2018 05:55:50 am

Do you still have the plague? I am interested in it.

Janet Potter

3/31/2018 07:52:59 am

Hi, I just sold it to someone in BC last month. Sorry.

Tom Lymbery link

3/31/2018 09:15:54 am

BC History Magazine spring 2018 has an article "Eight years in a One Room School" that has a clear picture of the Plaque still in place above a blackboard in our Gray Creek Hall .
Please look at www.graycreekhall.com for this unusual log community hall with its own swimming beach - very popular for weddings.

Kevin East

4/4/2018 10:36:07 am

I google/street searched the address found on a label affixed to the back of someone's plaque. Building is still there, but probably reno'ed into condos now. The framing may have been done by other shops not directly connected to the metal stamping company.

Kevin East

5/16/2018 08:35:27 am

Can someone please measure the frame material profile so I can have frames built ? Thanks.

Ed Hardy

7/1/2018 01:12:20 pm

I have two of these plaques, found at an auction a few years ago. Both have their frames, and both frames are identical. One still has a partial sticker, which lists "--lips Toronto, Carlaw", which would fit with a previous poster who stated
"The sticker on my frame says 'Framed by Phillips Toronto Ltd' - 258-326 Carlaw Ave - Toronto"

Based on the article quoted at the top of this page I would bet the whole kit and kaboodle were given to one metal pressing company and one framer. The frames are dark oak I think, typical 1920's style. the measurements are:
Outside 19 13/16" wide, 13 7/8" high, 3/4" deep. Inside is 18 3/16" wide and 12 5/16" high.

If anyone wants a closeup photo of the frame style I can email them one--I would think a very similar or identical could be found at a good framing gallery no problem. If you want a photo, just post your email address or email me at elghardy at gmail dot com

Roger

9/5/2018 11:00:36 am

Are you interesting in selling one of your plaques? We have restored a one room school and it would be a great addition. Thanks Roger, Calgary

Edward Hardy

9/6/2018 06:56:09 pm

I may well be. I have just been completely overhauling the basement and rearranging stuff, so would need a bit of time to get to them again.

Edward Hardy

9/6/2018 06:56:45 pm

What school did you restore?

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1927 Diamond Jubilee of Confederation wall plaque

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