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I am interested in selling an iron princess woodburning stove. Would like info on how much it would be worth.
Thanks, Julie.
Wanted 35 ford p\u. Send photo if available. mdicara@aol.com
I have a woman who cleans for me weekly and I need to advise her as to how I want her to dust my antiques. What do you suggest?
Please advise, Georgia
Georgia,
Because dust is abrasive, the best way to treat antique furniture is to wipe lightly with
a clean, soft, dry, absorbent cloth, turning it frequently and shaking the accumulated
dust off outside periodically, or, better yet, using a fresh cloth when necessary. The
same is true for any antique with a coated surface.
A.A.
Do you know when "Thomasville Chair company" went out of business? I have a dresser built by "Thomasville Chair Company " " Character Furniture " It says this on a triangle plate. Is there any way to find out how old this dresser is?
Thank You, Roy L.
Roy,
I found the following information at http://www.thomasville.com/about.htm .
Your dresser is at least 1960's. Contact the manufacturer for an actual date.
Thomasville Furniture Industries entered the first decade of the 20th
century as the fledgling Thomasville Chair Company in a bustling
railroad-side community in the triad area of North Carolina, near High Point, the
furniture capital. Founded in 1904, it was just one of many chair manufacturers scattered
throughout North Carolina. It turned out 180 chairs a day and owed two local timber
farmers, T.J. Finch and his brother C.F. Finch, $2,000 for lumber. When the company
couldn't pay its debt in cash, the Finch brothers reluctantly accepted stock instead and
decided to buy out the other stockholders. Business improved immediately under the astute
guidance of the Finch family with sales topping $1 million by 1917 and the company
becoming recognized for innovations in design as well as manufacturing quality.
The Thomasville Chair Company achieved many "firsts" for the
furniture industry. These included the first national sales force in the furniture
industry and the first American furniture company to produce and sell an entire suite of
furniture: Thomasville dining tables, buffets and chairs. In 1941, Thomasville Chair Co.
went to war with the rest of the country, making items requested by the federal
government, including: double decker bunk beds for the Army, wooden plugs for bombs, tent
stakes, wooden spatulas and rolling pins. And with 597 company men serving in the war, the
first group of women reported for work in March of 1942. During the 1950's, sales reached
$17 million, many innovations in machinery were made and the company's reputation for
crafting quality furniture grew. In the '60s, the company (under the
direction of Tom A. Finch) received a new name, Thomasville Furniture Industries,
Inc.
The famous Big Chair, an 18-foot reproduction of a Duncan Phyfe design
(first erected in 1922 and rebuilt in 1951) still stands in the town square as a symbol of
the mutual success of a now famous chair company - and the town that cherishes its
nickname, "Chair City".
A.A.
Hello! I'm planning a trip to Boston in the near future and wonder whether you can recommend any antique weapons dealers in that city. I would be particularly interested in dealers specializing in French-Indian/Revolutionary War militaria and weapons and/or Victorian British weapons. Look forward to your response.
Dave Hiley.
Dave,
Sorry, I checked and found no one who advertises antique firearms. Pieces of the type you
seek can turn up in any dealers inventory at any time. If you're looking for a working
weapon, even an antique, there may be licensing issues involved. Your best bet is to
contact one of our local auction houses. They know most of the local specialty dealers
including the ones that don't advertise as such and probably could point you in the right
direction. You will find links to 5 of the largest on our links/antiques page.
Good luck, A.A.
Thanks for your rapid response. Antique gun dealers are always a "hidden" group for some reason -- these works of art don't seem to be regarded as such by many antique dealers. Do "mainstream" antique dealers, i.e., those whose stores boast cut crystal vases filled with rose petals, look upon these folks as pariahs? By the way, and per Federal law, there are no licensing requirements for firearms manufactured prior to 1898; in working condition or not. I can't recall any news stories regarding a drive-by shooting with a flintlock. I really don't mean to be facetious but I do -- almost always -- get a strange response from many antique dealers when I inquire about antique gun dealers. You have given me some good advice to track down a dealer and I do appreciate your response.
Thanks and regards, Dave Hiley
I am wondering if you can identify a china pattern for me. The label on the bottom says it is made by Thomas Haviland, Limoge, France. The pattern is pink flowers with gold trim and little green leaves. The cups are quite shallow. My mother says they only hold a couple of swallows of tea. They have been in the family for quite some time and are marked "patent pending". If you can't identify the pattern, can you direct me to someone who can?
Thanks, Katie Pegelow
Katie,
I managed to find a web page that has pictures of all the marks found on traditional Haviland China with the dates of manufacture. The bad news is that none of the first names are Thomas.
There are lots of "Franks" and even more "Theodore's". Many are marked simply "Haviland" or "Haviland & Co.". The source of this information is: "Celebrating 150 Years of Haviland China, 1842-1992," Wallace J. Tomasini, Ph.D., 1992. The web page is: http://www.johannhaviland.com/marks.htm
Also there was a "Johann Haviland' making china in Bavaria, Germany.
I forwarded your question to a dealer in the hope that they can provide you with
specific info. They are: http://www.tias.com/stores/elegance/
.
Good luck, A.A.
Are you sure it's Thomas Haviland and not Theodore Haviland? Haviland made thousands of
patterns and many with pink flowers. We would need a photo (jpeg) of the cup and saucer to
identify the pattern. From your description, it sounds like you have demitasse cups.
R. Wayne & Judith S. Carman
540-977-1806
Touch of Elegance Member TIAS (The Internet Antique Shop)
http://www.tias.com/stores/elegance/
My mistake. I looked at the paper again. It is Theodore. But the trademark pending remark still stands. Somewhere I have a picture of them, but like a lot of our things, they are in a box in the garage.
What is the likelihood of finding pieces of his work and how much money on average are we talking about? I would like to fill out some pieces of the set if the cost is not prohibitive.
I also have a set of Noritake "Angelique" I am looking for pieces to replace. It is green and has a little bird.
I would like to know something about the history of both and their designers. Where would I get a book?
Now that you have identified the correct mark you should contact dealers in Haviland
Limoge. There are many such sites that a search on the internet will find, You can send
the ones that seem to be the most knowledgeable a photo or jpg file. Here's a link to two
of the better sites that I found. http://www.angelfire.com/biz2/havilandchina/index.html
and http://www.tias.com/stores/elegance/
A.A
I am looking for an antique vanity to give as a present to my wife for our 5th anniversary. It needs to be a cherry color, if possible, to match our furniture. If you know of a way I can locate one please advise.
Gordon
I need some help...! I recently moved back to the United States from England. While there, I purchased a few pieces of antique furniture made of Mahogany and Oak. Because I moved from a relatively humid area to a dry hot one (Nevada), my pieces are shrinking and cracking. I would appreciate any advice anyone can give me to save these fine pieces of furniture.
Thanks In Advance Rick rico63a@compuserve.com
I am trying to find out some information on a Spanish Gun Maker, Tomas Agote. I have several shotguns given to me years ago by my grandfather. I have been unsuccessful in finding any reference to this manufacturer. Anyone with information please send to Dmoore1@prodigy.net
I collect badges with Chairman Mao Zedong's likeness. These badges are relics of "the cultural revolution". They were made from 1966 to 1976 in China. The production was stopped after the cultural revolution. Fewer and fewer badges have been kept for the last of the past 30 years. So Mao Zedong's badges possess very high value of collection. For the past 19 years. I have collected 50 thousands of Mao Zedong's badges with 20 thousands of varieties, which were made of gold, silver, copper, metal, aluminum, bamboo, wood, pottery and porcelain, Plexiglas, plastics bone and so on with various shapes, among which the diameter of the biggest one is 38cm and the smallest one is 0.8cm long, which was found the smallest badge made during the cultural revolution and was declared to be the world record of Guinness. My collection of Mao Zedong 's badges ranks the first both in quantity and variety in the world. Now, I want to transfer my collection to the world. $200,000. I will be responsible for delivery. More details will be available by contacting li_li9991@yahoo.com. Serious enquiry's only.
Gentleman, text about furniture restoration I simply find, great! As I am sometimes
involved in restoration,(for my own pleasure)I would like to ask you for some advice.
Japanese antique furniture is my headache - lacquer !!!! I have a piece of furniture but I
don't know how I should clean and revive the beauty ? If you are able, please let me know,
what and how to do, but if you don't, give me some hint about any book I should read.
With best regards, D. Ciric anadarko@xs4all.nl
Holland
To: D. Ciric
In response to your inquiry I offer the following suggestions. First
and foremost, if your piece of furniture is an antique or if it has the potential to
become an antique in a few years, DO NOT alter it's original finish. If you do, your piece
will lose much of it's value. The best way to preserve the patina of a lacquered piece of
furniture is to clean it using an oil or wax based cleaner such as lemon oil or furniture
polish. Mineral spirits (paint thinner)(not lacquer thinner) works well but should be
followed by a coat of wax. Never use water because water will cause the surface soil to be
absorbed into the grain of the wood through the scratches and worn spots on the lacquer
finish. Wet wood might eventually cause the finish to "lift" and peel off.
Whatever you decide to use to clean your furniture, you should test it on a small area in
the back of the piece just to be sure that it won't harm the finish. One last tip. Use a
soft, absorbent cloth and don't rub too hard on the finish until you're certain that the
lacquer will not flake off.
A.A.
I am trying to identify a china pattern. It has H & Co with Bavaria written under it and then it has a crown under that. This is all written in green. The china also has another marking. It is KL in a circle. Duchess is written over this and Bavaria is written under it. The china has a line of flowers around the edges..mostly pink flowers with a few white ones, and green leaves. The edges of the china has gold around it. I got this china from my great grandmother and would like very much to find out more about it.
Thanks! Linda
Could you advise me of about what year s Stickley Brothers (tea cart #2916) would have been produced and what aprox value it might have in very good condition? With possibility of sale?
Dave, loom4x4@gateway.net
Please print the following message and post it in a
high traffic area of your shop or pass it on to other web sites and bulletin boards.
Thanks.
The A.A.
Attention, Please!
The antiques listed here were stolen in mid-august. Being family heirlooms, they carry great sentimental value and we would greatly appreciate a call if any piece similar to/fitting these descriptions is brought to your store. Please reply by email or call 603-642-8216.
A reward will be given in the event that the roll-top desk or bed are found, Thank you for your time and cooperation.
Bed - Extensively carved oak. Painted dark navy blue at time of robbery. High head board, high foot board with shelf, approx. 4 inches extending from top to footboard. Water stain on top of one side of foot board may be visible even if bed is refinished.
Mirrored Boudoir - Large, round mirror. One large drawer, with two smaller ones set on top of the surface. Design on front of large drawer, raised and lighter wood - slightly resembles upside-down flower bud.
Large Bureau / Chest of Drawers - Mahogany, four-five large curved drawers and shelf area with two smaller drawers and above that the top of bureau. (like a step - two leveled top.)
Small Desk - Approx. four feet wide mahogany. Some intricate carving. The top-half folded up. If it was down the desk top resembled a rectangular box. When opened, there were many compartments visible, some with drawers and some without. Drawer all along approx. 4-inches high. Spindle-shaped legs. Approx. 3-4 feet tall.
Roll-Top Desk - Very Large. Many different sizes drawers and pigeon holes and secret compartments. Black linoleum was either nailed or placed on entire writing area, so may have nail-holes, writing area may be in better shape than rest of desk due to protection of linoleum.
Small Oak Chest of Drawers - (was perched on top of desk.) Approx. 3 feet wide and 1-1/2 feet tall. 6-8 drawers side by side and two columns. (3-4 tiers high.)
16 Bone China Teacups and Saucer sets - No two alike. Some Royal Dalton and Royal Dorset. One had iridescent interior, another was cream color with dusty-maroon rose pattern. One was a 50th wedding anniversary set. Another had a black lace design with red roses. Several has roses on them of various colors and patterns.
Cedar Hope Chest - Natural cedar color. Very heavy thick cedar, heavy round thick legs.
Please keep a lookout for these items! We appreciate it! teemm@ibm.net
There used to be a product on the market called ANTIQUE CARE, produced by a firm in Connecticut, I believe. I have just about finished my previous purchase and wish to buy a new container, but I cannot find it in the Huntsville, Alabama area. Could you tell me if the product is still available, and, if so, where I might make a purchase.
Many thanks, Rik rik@netnav.com
I would like to know where to get an appraisal on a document. A pardon signed by Andrew Johnson in 1865.
Thank You, Sue
Re: Andrew Johnson signature.
Andrew Johnson was our 17th president, succeeding Abraham Lincoln. He served the nation from 1865 to 1869 and was, until Clinton, the only US president to be impeached.
The following comes from The "Rail Splitter" website. http://www.users.interport.net/~splitter/
"As is the case with any collectible, value is determined by three factors: scarcity, demand, and condition. Some campaign medals are extremely common with only negligible market value while others, from the same election, are rare and command high prices. Certain commemorative prints are extremely rare, but few collectors "compete" in that market and prices are relatively low. And... most important... different standards for "grading" or judging the condition of an item are applied to different fields. Photography collectors are finicky about the condition of the mount... autograph collectors use terms such as "feathering" in assessing value... every item is unique and needs to be judged relative to material in that field."
"General rule: content is king! A signature on a military commission has far less value than a personal letter remarking on an issue of the day. Be careful... forgeries are a real issue in this field. (In a recent issue of The Rail Splitter, we published a test for our readers picturing both genuine and fake Lincoln documents and letters... it wasn't an easy test for the inexperienced!) (And please... don't contact us with news of your attic discovery of the "Bixby Letter" or the "Gettysburg Address" on browned parchment... they are souvenirs made to look old and have almost no value!)"
Although they specialize in Lincoln ephemera, Rail Splitter also buys, sells, and appraises historical documents.
A.A.
Re: Andrew Johnson signature.
If you send us a photocopy with a S.A.S.E., we would be pleased to provide you with a
free appraisal. PLEASE do NOT send a scan... we need a hard-copy. Be certain to provide a
note with any necessary details... condition, faults, known associated history, etc. Send
it to:
The Rail Splitter
Post Office Box 275
New York, New York 10044
We will be sure to get back to you with a quick response!
I have an old New York Times newspaper that is showing for the first time, the U.S.A walking on the moon! Would you be interested in buying or at least giving me the value of this newspaper? Tom Doud flashdrum@exotrope.net
Re:Old newspaper
Thanks to the www, printed newspapers may become extinct in the next millennium, and
yours could be of considerable value to collectors. Ultimately though, as has been
previously stated, the value of any collectible is determined by three factors: demand,
rarity, and condition.
A.A.
I have recently inherited from my Great Grandmother a 1933 Drexel mohagany dining room set. The set includes a table with 3 leaves, 6 chairs with original material (2 have arms), a rounded buffet and a rounded corner hutch. It is in immaculate condition - she still has the tags. I was wondering the value of these items. Can you help?
Re: Drexel Furniture
It is very difficult to put a value on 66 year old furniture
sight unseen. Obviously the quality and condition of your set is very good, but much of
its value is determined by other things like; patina, style, carving, color, type of wood
and of course, rarity.
You should bring color photos of the individual pieces to a local
auction house to get an approximate value. Those folks can probably remember selling
similar pieces and are usually a good source of information.
A.A.
I have a newspaper of 1826 and I wonder if it is of any value???????????
Looking for Griswold and Wagner cast iron cookware. Interested in all pieces in good or better condition. Please contact Thomas at: roadk@mail.com . Thanks!
Any information on the Royal Chair Company, organized by J.F. Walton in Sturgis, MI. The brass plate reads "The Royal Chair Made and Guaranteed By the Royal Chair Co. Sturgis Mich / Pat ? Oct.24 - 1899 / May 1 - 1900". I do not think it is the same as the Royal Easy Chair Company even though they are both from Sturgis MI. I show that the Royal Easy Chair Company was sold to Morency Van Buren, sold to Scovill Mfg. Co. Any informaton would be great and please send it to marv_anderson@alfseed.com Thank you very much. Marvin Anderson
My husband is in dire need of some major parts in order to finish work on his 1940 Ford
Coupe. One part is the deck lid repair panel for the trunk, and the other, a set of
running boards. I know there will be more later but these are needed now. If you can help
in any way it would be gratefully appreciated. This is his first attempt at doing anything
like this and he was getting sooooo much pleasure from it, but it seems the people who
know where to get the parts want to die with the info rather then share it.
Thanks.
Diana Carole Stanley sweetlips@mail.odyssey.net
Thanks to site, I know not to refinish my loveseat/chair :) My question is....what about upholstery? Really needs. Keep spring w/boars hair cushioning or okay to switch to fire-retardant foam? Thanks! CAM
CAM,
You need to determine what your chair is worth. Is it good quality usable furniture, or
is it a valuable antique? If the chair is valuable, have it restored to its original
condition by a professional conservator. He/she will use the springs with a reproduction
fabric of the period and, the same or similar filler. If it's principle value is as a
piece of usable furniture, then by all means, modernize the chair, but save the original
materials as a reference because you may someday want to do a full restoration
A.A.
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