Depression Glass Is Not Depressing

The Collected Writings of

Gene Florence

Many appraisers would simply over look pieces of depression glass in an appraisal report. But I'm here to say that all appraisers should stop and take a look at the treasures that could be lurking in a cabinet. I agree that there are thousands of patterns and pieces that warrant little or no intrinsic value. But when you find those pieces that that do have value "Look Out." The study of depression glass is a fascinating topic. The term Depression Glass didn’t get its name until much later,When the first manufacturers decided to give this new glassware a try, they were hoping to start new trends, and they succeeded until the world started falling into the Great Depression. Depression glass is a great study about the backbone of the American glass industry.

One author, though there are several, that comes to my mind when I think of depression glass is that of Gene Florence. Mr. Florence is the most well known and published author in this field. His books which today run into the dozens of titles and literally hundreds of editions are invaluable to the study of this field. The latest editions sport great photos and an in depth history that you simply won't find anywhere. They do tend to lack in the area of bibliographies and references but I think that you can over look that for the great content that these books contains. And of course many will have "value guides" in the back but you should as always disregard these. The books in general I highly recommend to any appraisers book shelf. I myself and have the "Very Rare Glassware of the Depression Years" and "Elegant Glassware of the Depression Era" many many times.

Prices can run from the MSRP in the new books stores to a few dollars for older editions in second hand book stores and early collected editions can run upwards of $75.00 or more for certain titles and editions.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Yourself

The Locals Know the Story

The Importance of Local Books and Papers

This is something you that you as an appraiser just can't be with out. Often this category is overlooked. This is vitally important if you are the type of appraiser that works with regionally made decorative arts on a regular basis. These are the books that are written by local authors about local subjects. And yes your town will have some, I promise.

Lets use myself and my appraisal career for an example. I focus a lot of efforts on Kentucky and Southern decorative arts. Not just for appraisals but for the research papers that I manage to get out on occasion. I can't tell you how many times that I've investigated titles like "The Kentucky Encyclopedia" to find out more information on something that I'm working on. This investigative behavior will quickly separate the average appraiser from outstanding appraiser. It's amazing to discover for example that it would be very doubtful that a local cabinetmaker would have built, dated and signed a magnificent inlaid corner cupboard in July 1834. When you discover that 90% of his family had died in a cholera epidemic earlier in that year. It makes you think a little bit harder when you factor in what was happening at the time around your item/s.

Books that you should have on your shelves could be local and state history books, local and state genealogy books, books on historic houses in your area, early maps, catalogs from local museums, papers written by local historians about local craftsman and artists, newspapers collections of local stories, even postcards can be useful and if you use your imagination you can find numerous other inclusions to fit in here.

Now I know that we as appraisers are not authenticators but there are times that it is just necessary that you dig a bit deeper. Explore the area around you today.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Yourself

Stillness & Light

Stillness and Light: The Silent Eloquence of Shaker Architecture by Henry Plummer

I was quite surprised when I received this book to review. Surprised because I love to review new books and second I'm only about 7 miles away from Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill, Kentucky, the largest restored Shaker Village in the country. If you have never been to one of the few restored Shaker Villages scattered from New England to Kentucky, you should by all means go. There is just something about this particular religious sect and the way that they live that draws people in. A haunting simplicity, unparalleled grace in this hectic world. A respite for the cluttered eye.

This book will explore these features with incredible photos by Mr. Plummer. This book is published by Indiana University Press, Bloomington, Indianapolis. Hard backed with 134 pages printed on high quality acid free paper with a detailed bibliography that is noteworthy for study by appraisers and scholars of Shaker architecture and artifacts. It is the photographs that will be taking your breath away when you look at this volume. Though I've personally photographed several of these same shots, they naturally don't look anything like Henry's, no surprise there. His photos capture that ethereal light that literally flows through these buildings. The captions that accompany the photos explain in a simple, easy language of what we are looking at.

This volume has a MSRP of $39.95. This is a brand new book on the market and can be found in your local or national book stores. You might also check out this link to the Indiana Press University. http://www.iupress.indiana.edu/catalog/

I highly recommend this book for anyone who is appraising Shaker items or Shaker architecture of for those who simply love high quality art photographs. A welcome addition to your book shelves.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Yourself

The New Art

Collector's Guides: Art Nouveau by Judith Miller

Is there anything with the grace and color of a Tiffany lamp? Is there anything with the form of a Raoul Larche sculpture? If you answered no to any of these questions then you too appreciate the period of Art Nouveau.

If you are a long time reader of this blog you'll remember that I'm no fan of the price guide. Except when it comes to the works of Judith Miller. Just disregard those out of date values. This is one incredible book. Surprisingly I found on my public library book shelf. If you are a beginner to this field or a seasoned hand, you'll enjoy this book.

This American edition from 2004 is published by DK Publishing. It contains 240 pages with a very useful glossary, full index, a key source to codes of dealers, auction houses that either sold or is selling the items featured in this book. Thick, heavy, glossy paper is used in this book like all the book by Ms. Miller. All photos are in full color with excellent details shown. Chapters are broken down into contents like furniture, glass, textiles, jewelry, silver and metalware, pottery and several others. Each chapter will explore the great artists in each category. Scattered through out will be colored sections that will discuss form, helpful hints, fakes, signatures and key features. I just can't say enough about this great reference book on what can be a tricky subject.

I found this online at several locations for under $20.00. A worthwhile investment for your library.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Your Self.

A Master of The Arts

Louis C. Tiffany, Glass-Bronzes-Lamps: A Complete Collectors Guide by Robert Koch

If you appraise on a regular basis, works by Louis Tiffany, this book is a must for your library. I think that everyone has the dream of discovering a piece of Tiffany. This book will help to arm you when that time comes. I enjoyed the period. price list, if only we could travel back in time. Incidentally these things weren't cheap for those living in 1906. Use the west egg inflation calculator for a real eye opener.

This 208 page, 1971, hard back edition is published by Crown Publishing New York. chapters include section on Tiffany history, paintings, windows, desk sets and an incredible interview with Jennings Stewart who was a long time glass gaffer with Tiffany Studios. The back includes an interesting price list from 1906. Sadly there is no bibliography or reference notes. All the photos are b/w and there are numerous catalog shots and interiors of work rooms. Frankly the photos are not great and lack the color and details of modern photoraphy.

I found this first edition online at several locations for $24.00-$40.00. There are dozens of later editions for well under $10.00. This is a great book that I recommend for all appraisers. A good value for your money.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Yourself.

Duncan Phyfe A Classic Style

Duncan Phyfe and the English Regency 1795 - 1830

by Nancy McClelland

I've heard people say so often "my sofa is Duncan Phyfe' referring to a piece of furniture from the 1960's. Phyfe's style was the status quo for formal furniture back in the 1950's. The market is full of great, OK and horrible reproduction examples of machine made, cheap, mahogany wood furniture. This is a far cry from who the real man was and the incredible period furniture that he made.

This is a hard core research book not for the faint of heart. The definitive guide to Phyfe, his styles and traditions. It will explore Phyfe and his competitors and imitators. This book is a must for those who are currently appraising period furniture. Easy to read and follow. It'll cover the personal and cabinet making history of this talented man. With one of my favorite things being, the 1854 Duncan Phyfe shop inventory of the furniture that he made. Also included is an appendix showing typical Phyfe details, various records, and the genealogy of the Phyfe family.

This is one of my newest and currently favorite furniture books that I just got in a few weeks ago. This soft backed edition is published by Dover Publications. This edition is from 1980 but the original edition was a limited printing from 1939. Illustrated with 295 photographs,the photos are all b/w and are sadly not of good quality, but this was from 1939 so we're lucky to have any. Paper is a little on the inexpensive side.

You know I was shocked when I began to look for this 1980 edition online. I found only a few sellers that offered this book for under $30.00 and the prices quickly escalated up to $50.00 - $75.00 for this paper back edition. I highly recommend this book.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Your Self.

Weaving a Shaker Story

Shaker Textile Arts by Beverly Gordon

Shakers are famous for the simple, elegant lines of their furniture. Did you know that they also were equally talented with weaving and the fabrication of textiles? Like the furniture the textiles also have that simple elegant appeal. It was literally from "sheep to shawl" to borrow an advertising phrase from an annual seminar held at Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill. What has always intrigued me is the fact that many Shaker communities, Shaker Village of Pleasant Hill was one that produced silk fabric from their own worms. This book will feature examples of this and many others.

This is more of a scholarly approach to Shaker textiles. It might be too hard core for the beginner but when you need to have serious information about a serious piece then this the book you need to have. Unlike some Shaker books that I've reviewed in the past, this is an in depth look at Shaker textiles. You'll learn from beginning to the completed example how these things were made.

This soft back edition is a 1983 second printing published by the University Press of New England. Contains an overall general history, production of household textiles and clothing and personal accessories. Has an excellent glossary, fully indexed, excellent references and an outstanding bibliography. Numerous b/w photos and line drawings and many are period interior shots of several villages.

I found this online at several locations for well under $20.00 but some examples rose up much much higher.

Remember, Knowledge Is Power, So Arm Yourself