So, I'd like to read up on antique furniture ...

[Flaxbee]

and I know it's a huge field... but are there any good books (preferably with photos) that provide an overview? American or European furniture, or both?

I'll cross-post this in the collectibles / antique forum.

Thanks for any input! :hi:

[Flaxbee]

1. going to kick for the Sunday day crowd...nt

.

[JitterbugPerfume]

2. another kick

[Flaxbee]

3. hey, Jitterbug

thanks for the kick!

If you're interested, too, supernova suggested this website when I posted the question over in the antiques forum: http://www.kovels.com/

:hi:

[JitterbugPerfume]

4. thanks!

I love antiques, being one myself LOL:hi:

[LeftyMom]

5. This is a really good basic overview

http://www.amazon.com/Antiques-Roadshow-Primer-Carol-Prisant/dp/B001U6OMAW

[Flaxbee]

6. thanks, LeftyMom ...

are you a collector?

I'm looking for a good beginner's guide and the price on this looks just right - don't want to invest a lot on books just yet. :hi:

[LeftyMom]

7. I can't afford to be a collector on any significant scale, but I adore well made old things.

The only really large pieces I have are my 1916 Singer Red Eye treadle (flvegan got me that, because he's the best boyfriend ever) and my circa 1950 record player console, which was super cheap at a thrift store. I do have a bunch of smaller stuff like vintage kitchen stuff, which mostly comes from my thrift store habit.

They have a collectibles book as well that I ought to pick up.

[old mark]

8. That's a very good book. I'd learn American furniture first - there is

SO MUCH European furniture it can be very overwhelming and confusing. Most people find some specialty they really like and get deeper into that area...Antiques is really a never ending learning experience and it is best to look around locally before you decide to buy things (You WILL pay for your education.)

I used to do flea markets and later eBay sales. Even for little money, there is something out there to interest anyone and you will never be bored with it.

good luck, FB.

mark

[Flaxbee]

9. that was my thought, too -- I'm glad you agree

re American furniture.

thanks, mark! :hi:

[supernova]

10. Found another resource for you

There's a ladies' antiquing blog called http://goodbonesgreatpieces.com/blog/?cat=26">Good Bones, Great pieces

Scroll down to a post called "Be Seated"



It's from Judith Miller’s Antiques Encyclopedia

Regardless of what you read up on, the most fun is to get out there and see if you can spot what you've been studying, develop your 'eye'. :D

Happy antiquing!

;-)

[Flaxbee]

12. Hooray! Thanks!

I really am not educated at all in antique design and really am looking forward to learning. Thanks again, supernova. You've been a great help! I think I'm going to have fun! :)

[old mark]

11. Flaxbee - since you want to be educated, try these books (Available used )

Price guide to American Country Antiques by Don and Carol Raycraft. This has a lot of stuff that I find very interesting-NOT fancy 18th century pieces you will never see in the field.

AND: Garage Sale and Flea Market Annual ( again, even an old one is good just to look at stuff and know what you are looking at.)

You can find these books second hand on Amazon or at Abebooks (my facorite used book site)

If you have a good eye and know what you are looking at you can still do well these days, even with all the competition....most people really are not aware.

Good luck and I hope you enjoy your education and searches.

mark

[Flaxbee]

13. hey old mark.... you're a terrific resource!

do you still regularly look around for items? I'd like to learn what I will be able to spot out and about here along the eastern seaboard, rather than museum pieces (though I'd like to learn about those, too).

Abebooks is a favorite of mine, too. :)

I do think I'm going to have fun learning!

[Rabrrrrrr]

14. i'd suggest the New York Times Crossword Puzzle Book or the Necronomicon.

Or, barring that, a book that's called something like "antique furniture".

Just sayin'.

:P

Seriously, though, your question is a good one - I have no answer, but I bet if you went to amazon and searched, and read the reviews, you'd come up with a good list.

[Capn Sunshine]

18. No question, the Necromicon

all answers lie within
and stuff

[applegrove]

15. Find out who teaches interior design classes in your neck of the wood and

go to the bookstore of that institution and buy the textbook. That would be the best book you could find on various styles.

[Flaxbee]

16. ohhh, I just moved back to northern Virginia and have

been lusting after classes at the Corcoran :)

Really great suggestion, applegrove. Thanks very much!

[applegrove]

17. Your welcome. I sometimes browse in the bookstores of univercities or colleges. I just find

the books there so much more sussinct. I actually ended up working at a university bookstore at one point. I was in heaven.