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OCTOBER 2024 To advertise call (775)727-8787 PAGE 7
What You’re Sitting On Might Be Valuable

by Chuck N. Baker

When it comes to thinking about furniture, version of French designs that include classical
most people have thoughts that encompass motifs and curves as a focal point.
brand new bureaus, beds, tables, chairs and so- Space does not allow describing all the
fas. The newer the better, wood or faux wood styles, some of which are Chippendale, Federal,
that shines and sparkles. But there is a group of Empire, Victorian and others.
select individuals who, while perhaps agreeing Before you go looking in the garage or attic
with those who like new things, nonetheless for treasures, remember there is a difference be-
prefer to collect vintage furniture and decora- tween antique vs. vintage vs. retro. For an item
tive objects. to be an antique, experts agree that it must be at
Writer Mary Durant traces the hobby to least or more than one hundred years old. While
1876, at the centennial exposition in Philadel- there’s no official expert consensus for an item
phia where an exhibit called The New England to be considered vintage, many agree an item
Farmers Home highlighted such items as the should be between 20 to 99 years old.
Fuller cradle brought over on the Mayflower, If you have a piece that is antique, take good
a chair made for Gov. Endicott of the Massa- care of it. Keep it out of the sunlight, and don’t
chusetts Bay Colony, John Alden’s desk and an store it in a damp area. If it’s valuable, painting
ancient spinning wheel from Plymouth. That the wood to cover up the original finish and
sparked what became a national interest in an- grain will, in most cases, reduce its value. And
tique furniture. in case you didn’t know: People are buying more
As the hobby grew, it was natural that col- antique pieces than ever before because they can you’ll have to scan yard sales, and if you’re really
lectors would segregate furniture into different bring them home the same day (no wait time!), serious, you’ll have to travel the county, Eastern
styles. The Jacobean style of the 17th century they’re typically well-made, and they’re a much states especially, to locate items that are to your
patterns came from England and as time went more sustainable choice than buying new furni- liking and that are truly rare. But before you sit
on, more elaborate ornamental details became ture. Plus, antiques add instant charm and pati- on that old chair, or throw your underwear into
part of the designs. The William and Mary style na to your home. that dusty bureau, you might want to check it
is baroque, very “leggy” and includes cane seat- So the question is, where do you find these out. Those furniture items could be valuable.
ing. Next is the Queen Anne style, an English pieces? Well, you’ll have to search antique stores,

Cathy Slaughterback, Broker/Owner Michael P. Hickey, REALTOR
Cell (775) 764-0116 Cell (775) 764-0920
cathyslaughterback@gmail.com mph69t@yahoo.com

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Herman Melville’s “Moby-Dick” sold only 50
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