Comments on: Antiques Hit Hard Across The Board – Almost

By: james conrad

james conrad — Mon, 28 Jul 2008 00:07:28 +0000

yup, no doubt about it, there has never been a better time to buy antique furniture in my life than now.

Next month at Northeast auctions, theres a major Shaker furniture collection going on the block. I’ll be interested to see how that goes as Shaker furniture has managed to stay strong in the market so far.

By: Woodwright

Woodwright — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:59:41 +0000

Now you’ll have to find a matching sofa to complete the set like the one pictured in the Dubrow’s book mentioned in the listing. I see they din’t sell one separately – wonder what happened to it? I’m sure there was probably one with the set at one time.
To help figure out if the upholstery is original or not. Carefully remove the fabric in an area (use a tack puller) paying very close attention to the placement of the tacks (new uphostery is stapled on – old was tacked on) and look to see if there are extra holes (from previous upholstery jobs) if the only holes on the frame are from the current tacks – then it is original. woodwright

By: misslilybart

misslilybart — Sun, 27 Jul 2008 14:21:14 +0000

RareVictorian, congratulations on your find! As to the question of the upholstery, it would be helpful to see some close details photos of the upholstery, the trim and any areas where the show cover has been “peeled back” from the muslin, as well as any up-close and personal observations you may have regarding the type of cloth, its quality, etc.

By: Woodwright

Woodwright — Sat, 26 Jul 2008 03:44:58 +0000

I can remember when being a DINK was a bad thing, but today it can be advantageous to be a DINK. My how times have changed. Although even today – not all DINKS are good DINKS.

You have a tough decision to make on the upholstery of the P&S set. If it is indeed the original upholstery. Do you replace it with one of the many gorgeous period appropriate new fabrics, have it look like a million bucks, and make it more functional and appealling to most people? OR Do you leave the original upholstery playing an important role in preserving history. Which makes it less appealling to most (most want something that looks good and is functional) – but makes it very appealling to a select group – like very discriminting collectors and museums – who will often pay a premium to find pieces as close to original as possible. Quite a quandry indeed. Although you may have to remove or partially remove the present upholstery for some of the needed repairs. woodwright

By: RareVictorian

RareVictorian — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 19:01:02 +0000

Thanks, Jason. Hopefully we’ll add some more knowledgeable regulars as a result.

It was definitely a good publication to get my first mention in

I’m trying to think how to get the next publication mention …. this one just fell in my lap.

By: 1881victorian

1881victorian — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 18:55:59 +0000

…and congratulations on the mention in the Wall Street Journal!

- Jason

By: Kathie

Kathie — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 16:41:39 +0000

I bought my first antique at the age of 15, much to my parents surpise. They took me to a barn auction in Massachuets in the late 1960′s. Thanks to me they came home with a Singer tredel sewing machine about 75 years old at the time.I believe I paid under $25 for it.
I have however gotten more then one good deal at local yard sales. So there are ways of getting the nicer pieces. Estate sales are good too, alot of time people don’t want or know about that old ornate chair Aunt so &so had .
I recently bought a oak refractory dining table and 6 matching chairs ,circa 1910 ,with I belive tiger oak on the chair backs for $200. The family had 2 of them (sets) from older parents and only one dining room.
It might not be Victorian but it will show nice once cleaned up properly. I will keep looking for the 19th century one .That is part of the fun.

By: RareVictorian

RareVictorian — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:43:18 +0000

Thanks Woodwright. Yes, indeed there are some repairs needed, but I am confident that they can be done and I have already spoken to my friends at Rose Valley about what needs to be done.

My only real quandary is what to do with the upholstery. Leave the original (assuming it is – we’ll see when I get them) or put on some high-end new, but appropriate, upholstery?

I think that I jumped a few years ahead on my collecting due to permitting my budget to do so. Many people would also be collecting what I like to – but keep their budget more modest.

Being a DINK has it’s benefits.

By: Woodwright

Woodwright — Fri, 25 Jul 2008 13:36:42 +0000

Congratulations on the marked P&S set. Some repairs needed – but a very nice & unique set. A nice addition to your collection. I have read your bio and you mentioned here that you have only been collecting for four years – which is surprising to me. Most people begin collecting with the common, ordinary (inexpensive/ affordable) – then as their eye becomes trained and their budget improves they upgrade. You have jumped in much higher up the ladder and have begun your collecting with a good eye for quality and uniqueness and bypassed the first 5 or 10 yrs. of the “average” collector. woodwright