Winnipeg Model Train

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – The Duluth, Winnipeg and Pacific Railway, abbreviated as DWP, is a subsidiary owned by the Canadian National Railway. The Duluth was originally developed in Minnesota, and was dubbed the Virginia and Rainy Lake Railway in 1901. But after it was purchased by the Canadian Northern Railway, the Duluth was renamed as the Rainy…

Antique Winnipeg Police Badge

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – As a sign of authority, sacrifice, and service, the police badge is the most significant and recognizable symbol of official policing around the world. Police badges have been around for hundreds of years, dating as far back as when medieval knights expressed their allegiances and loyalty by adorning a coat of arms. Anyone…

Antique Winnipeg Match Case

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Whitehead & Hoag made this antique match case in the early 1900’s for the Northern Elevator Company of Winnipeg. Northern Elevator was established in 1893 through the merger of five smaller companies. It quickly became a big business, handling 2.4 million bushels of grain a year at 92 prairie elevators by the turn…

Smokine Log Cabin Bottle

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – This Smokine log cabin bottle was made by Alfred Andersen & Co. and The Western Importers. Alfred Andersen founded his company in 1893, marketing cooking utensils to Scandinavian Immigrants in and around Minneapolis. But within ten years, Andersen was removed from his own company. Before Andersen got the boot, he created Smokine, later…

Jets Hockey Pucks

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Winnipeggers love their Jets and so it’s no surprise team merchandise always sells for a good dollar. These games used pucks, certified by the NHL, both scored goals in the season opener for the Jets earlier this month against the Calgary Flames. One was scored by Kyle Connor, the other by Patrik Laine…

Neil Young Poster

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Born to parents who married in Winnipeg, Neil Young is regarded as one of the most legendary musicians of all time. Young was born in Ontario but moved back here with his mom when he was in his teens after his parents divorced. During his youth, Young fell in love with music and…

Winnipeg Souvenir Spoon

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Souvenir spoons first became a thing in Europe in the mid-1800’s. They soon made their way around the world, as wealthy travellers returned home from European tours. Collecting souvenir spoons became especially popular around the time of the Chicago World Fair in 1893, the same year silver prices collapsed. This gave businesses cheap…

Winnipeg Pocket Watch

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Born in 1851 in Scotland, Donald Ross Dingwall immigrated to Canada to become a jeweller and watchmaker. He began his trade as an apprentice in Ontario and in 1882, he moved to Winnipeg and established his own jewellery business. Remnants of Dingwall’s merchandise exist today, such as this exquisite yellow gold pocket watch…

Winnipeg License Plate Topper

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – Manitoba license plates were first issued in 1911 and they were made of a heavy steel with a porcelain finish. Prior to that, drivers were issued a number by the province and people made their own plates. Antique license plates are desirable to local collectors but they’re condition sensitive. The average sale price…

Winnipeg Supply Tanker Model

Christopher M. DiogoNews

WINNIPEG – This very striking oversized model tanker truck is about 69 centimetres long and features a well-know local brand, Winnipeg Supply. Miniature toys were produced mainly in the 1950’s by Otaco, a company founded in Orillia, Ontario which focused their efforts on manufacturing farm implements such as plows, spring-tooth harrows and the famous Autotrac…