John Sikorski: Rug and paintings likely will increase in value in the future

John Sikorski
·3 min read
Luis Montiel's mid-century and Op Art designs are going to become more and more desirable in the years to come.
Luis Montiel's mid-century and Op Art designs are going to become more and more desirable in the years to come.

Q: My husband and I came to your shop several years ago to get information on some items my late mother left me, and you were very helpful. I have two more items that I have tried to get information on with a little luck. The first is a rug by Luis Monteil (1914-98). My mother bought it in Venezuela in the late 1960s and then packed it away and never used it. I learned he is a famous Venezuelan artist with a shop in Mai Mali, Venezuela. That is all I have found out about him, but I would like to find out its worth as I am thinking about giving it to one of my children.

The second is five pictures by a Flemish artist named Kermorver. He painted many scenes of Paris and illustrated some children’s books. The pictures are all 5.5 inches by 7.5 inches and are scenes of Paris. The most unusual thing about these paintings is that they appear to be painted on tin backing. They were brought to my mother after World War II by a close friend. She packed these away, too, so they are in very good condition. I love these pictures as they are very unusual and pretty. Thank you for your help. I look forward to finding out what you can discover. — M.C., Internet

This painting is certainly Art Deco style, and has a good look and color to it.
This painting is certainly Art Deco style, and has a good look and color to it.

A: I appreciate the good photographs. I am glad to know you plan on passing your Luis Montiel tapestry rug on in the family. His mid-century and Op Art designs are going to become more and more desirable in the years to come. The one you have would likely sell in the $500 range currently, but much more in the future should it ever be sold.

There is not much biographical information about the artist Kermorver. Examples of his work can be found for sale at very affordable prices. I think the examples you have are done in gouache technique, an opaque watercolor. They are certainly Art Deco style, and have a good look and color to them. I suspect that more information will become available in the future about Kermorver. I hope you plan on keeping them for the next generation.

Q: I have more than 1,000 mint baseball cards, in zip lock bags, that were manufactured and issued by the following companies: Pinnacle Trading Co., Fleer Corporation, The Topps Company, The Upper Deck Company, Leaf Inc., Score Inc. and Donruss Co. Could you tell me of a place where I could take them for an evaluation for value and/or sale? These were donated as a fundraiser at our American Legion Post No. 0230, in Hawthorne, by a World War II veteran. The funds collected from the sale of these cards will benefit our current and former military veterans. Any help and advice you could give us would be greatly appreciated. — K.K., Internet

A: I hope some of your baseball cards are homerun winners for the fundraiser. I suggest you contact Leland‘s Sports Auctions. They are one of the big boys on the block in the category of baseball memorabilia. The website is lelands.com. Good luck, and let us know how things work out.

— John Sikorski, with more than 35 years of experience, is an Ocala-based antiques advisor, consultant and broker. Send your questions to Sikorski's Attic, c/o The Ocala Star-Banner, 2121 SW 19th Ave. Road, Ocala, FL 34471-7752, or email absantique@aol.com.

This article originally appeared on The Gainesville Sun: John Sikorski: Rug and paintings likely will increase in value