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Reflecting
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New Books for Collectors
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June 2007
Philadelphia Empire
Furniture
by Allison Boor, Jonathan A. Boor, Christopher Boor, Peter
Boor and John William Boor
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
Philadelphia Empire Furniture offers a dramatic look at the development of decorative arts in that area between 1800 and 1840. And it does it in remarkable detail.
At the beginning of the 19th century, Greek-inspired architecture gained popularity in the city of Philadelphia. The city in turn became known for its classically inspired monumental buildings. Those ancient inspired buildings meanwhile were likewise decorated with classical furniture.
Soon the Philadelphia Empire style became the prevailing look in private homes as well as public buildings. The newly released book brings it together in equally inspiring fashion.
Dr. William Boor has been an avid collector of Philadelphia Empire furniture for over 30 years. Allison, John, Christopher, William and Peter Boor collaborated with their father to help produce this volume. They were involved in all aspects of the crafting including research and writing.
The authors explore the advent of Neo-Classicism and the emergence of Greek-Revival architecture. They also delve into the history of Philadelphia and many of its Empire furniture cabinetmakers.
Illustrations in the fine volume came from various sources including the Philadelphia Museum of Art, the Athenaeum of Philadelphia, the Winterthur Museum in Delaware, the Metropolitan Museum of Art in New York, The White House Historical Association and from many private collections.
Also included is the previously unpublished sketchbook of craftsman Anthony G. Quervelle. Besides Quervelle, other significant Philadelphia furniture makers highlighted in the volume include Michael Bouvier, Charles White, Cook & Parkin, and Joseph Barry.
This high quality book makes a major contribution toward the appreciation of a historic decorative arts period and an equally historic city.
Philadelphia Empire Furniture by Dr. William Boor, hardcover, 500 illustrations and 592 pages is $139 from the University Press of New England, One Court St., Lebanon, NH 03766.
Vintage Feed
Sacks
Fabric From the Farm
by Susan Miller
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique & Collectible News Service)
 |
To this day my wife fondly recalls a feed sack robe made for her as a child by a family friend. The friend also made a similar robe for the little girl’s mother.
Such a pleasant memory was rekindled by the colorful book Vintage Feed Sacks by Susan Miller. Newly released, it includes over 500 color photographs to illustrated grand patterns on lovely feed, sugar, flour, potato, corn meal, salt and rice sacks.
Readers will also enjoy examples of aprons, tea towels, pillowcases and bonnets all crafted from various vintage textiles that once served a much different purpose.
“This book has been need by collectors for a long time and will most welcome in many homes,” notes the author, “the homes of artists, designers, seamstresses, farmers, millers, people who quilt, and folks who have collector for a long time without any guidance of help with their collections.”
As Miller notes in the introduction is also encourages stories and historical documentation. The author adds, “The history of these bags (or others) from homes and farms across the nation is a great story to hear and tell.”
This a very fine book with dazzling color illustrations on nearly every pages, a price guide for each illustration, and lots of very readable background.
Vintage Feed Sacks, Fabric From the Farm by Susan Miller, softcover, 160 pages, is $29.95 plus shipping from Schiffer Publishing, 4880 Lower Valley Rd., Atglen, PA 19310.
Concise
Dictionary of Antique Collecting
Compiled/researched by Julie Carter and Christine Kannard
 |
Here’s a test antiquers: What is an indianische blumen?
Don’t know? Well, the Concise Dictionary of Antique Collecting has the answer. That and 6,500 other definitions put together in one book with an easy-to-use format and cross-referencing.
The dictionary is the work of Julie Carter and Christine Kannard, who between them have over 40 years of experience in the antiques publishing business. They currently produce the leading antiques and collectibles magazine in Australia as well as filling pivotal roles in the production of the country’s leading Antiques & Collectibles Price Guide.
The Concise Dictionary of Antique Collecting, compiled and researched by Julie Carter and Christine Kannard, softcover, 295 pages, published by Speedie Graphics Pty. Ltd, St. Ives, NSW, Australia, is $32 US. Visit www.acpp.com.au for details.
By the way, indianische blumen is “oriental style painting on European porcelain; Indian flowers.”
©2000-07 Discovery Publications, Inc.