Elaine Cannon Little Hickory Diorama
Inside original glass dome. Measures approximately 13x9 inches. The bottom of the dome has a label that is signed and says "This is an authentic Little Hickory by " and then a handwritten signature reading Elaine Cannon.
I found out that it is created by Elaine Cannon . Batavia native Elaine Cannon (1895-1982) created unique pieces of art during her life that captured local living with a miniature, Victorian-era twist. The Depot Museum received a few room displays from the Chicago Historical Society in 1981. Since then, most of the larger pieces of Cannon’s have come from donors since 2000. The museum is still actively collecting more of her work.
Auction House
Maybe
Good morning, Savannah,
Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.
The market for Elaine Cannon dioramas has dropped quite a bit; they used to be reliably expected to sell at or above $100 but even in the past 5 years they are bringing maybe half of what they used to, sometimes more. I used the following comparable - from 2013 - of an auction of the same model as yours to support my valuation:
($70) https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/little-hickory-in-a-dome-by-elaine-cannon-1226-c-2e38db80c2
Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:
An Elaine Cannon Victorian style diorama
From the Little Hickory series
American, first half 20th Century
13 by 9 inches
PROVENANCE: acquired at auction
$40-60*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.
I understand your confusion; I can't find any pieces from the "Little Hickory" series to have been sold since 2013. Typically, in this market, works sold now bring less than they did in 2013, so using that as a comparable was to show that yours was unlikely to bring more.
Also, the prices quoted on eBay are often retail prices, and it's important to note the distinction between prices listed and actual prices realized (often, eBay makes private what items actually sell for).
Let me know if you have additional questions.
Thank you so much for the appraisal. I am a little confused with using a cost from 2013? I currently can not find this diorama for sale so doesn't that make it more valuable? Also, there are sold listings on Ebay for her pieces that are not as large for way over $100?