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New Books for Collectors
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May 2009
Harbor & Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850
by Brock Jobe, Gary Sullivan & Jack O’Brien
Reviewed by Robert Reed
(Antique and Collectible News Service)
The newly released Harbor and Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts offers remarkable coverage of treasured furniture and furniture traditions in that region of the country.
Harbor and Home contains rich documentation of the best of 18th and 19th century clocks, chests, chairs, desks and dressing tables. There is an exceptional range of material from Philadelphia Windsor chairs and Newport desks, to Dutch clocks and New York fancy chairs.
Readers are treated to rarely seen pieces from outstanding private and public collections. Together, they reflect the evolving craft of furniture makers and the growing affluence of those residents during the historic time from 1710 to 1850.
The book documents not only furniture made in that historic location but it covers imported goods acquired by “local” customers as well.
“For wealthier patrons, these imports offered a stylish alternative to what the local cabinetmaker might provide,” noted the publisher. “But for craftsmen, these goods were a source of inspiration for their own work.”
This fine volume accents an exhibit, which opened at Winterhur Museum and Country Estate earlier this year and travels to Nantucket Whaling Museum in July. The combined projects represent four years of research by the three authors on various craft traditions and furnishing preferences of that region.
Brock Jobe is a professor of American decorative arts and authority on early American furniture. Gary Sullivan is a noted expert on early American Clocks. Jack O’Brien is research assistant for the Southeastern Massachusetts Furniture Project.
Totally, the book highlights that fascinating furniture era through three essays, more than 100 catalog entries, and over 280 excellent color illustrations. Additionally, an accompanying appendix documents the activities of more than 1,000 furniture-making craftsmen of that period.
Harbor & Home: Furniture of Southeastern Massachusetts, 1710-1850 by Brock Jobe, Gary Sullivan, and Jack O’Brien, 456 pages, hardcover, is $75 from University Press of New England.
Collecting under the Radar
Tomorrow’s Antiques
by Michael Hogben & Linda Abrams
Reviewed by Bruce Rodgers
Some books immediately attract potential readers and buyers. Collecting under the Radar is such a book. The bonus, in addition to the appealing photos and an outstanding design tied to an uncluttered, understandable layout, comes from the choice and organization of the material and information presented.
Given the authors’ background, particularly Hoghen’s experience as a noted antiques’ appraiser and auctioneer, this book could have been weighty and all over the place. Instead, it’s sort of whimsical, very colorful and fun, particularly in how the content is organized under Table of Contents’ categories such as How We Wined and Dined, with photos and info arranged under neat headings as Items to look for and Top Tips. Or, with The Best of Whatever, entries of not widely written collectibles about such as American-made Damascus Knives, Phone Cards & Early Cell Phones and Space Age Memorabilia. Such topics alone easily get one to open the book.
Still, better-known collectibles such as Lladro Figurines, Carnival Glass, Fishing Lures and Bakelite are found. And there are surprises. Beanie Babies and McDonald’s Toys are featured in Old Playthings along with the less derided Matchbox Cars, and information on the growing market of early digital watches under Still Looking Good.
With its selection of collectibles and sharp design aesthetics, Collecting under the Radar can be enjoyed by non-collectors while offering a strong enticement for people to take up the hobby. The Foreword presents collecting information, under such topics as Damage and restoration and Spotting a fake, that’s essential for the beginner and solid reminders for the pro. Here is a book that makes many other books on collectibles look … well, kind of antique.
Collecting under the Radar Tomorrow’s Antiques by Michael Hogben & Linda Abrams, 172 pages, hardcover, is $26.95 from Red Rock Press.
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