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September, 2017 The Antique Shoppe Page 19
At some point after you have scraped off the bulk of the overpaint you should Send your comments, questions and pictures to me at PO Box 215, Crystal
be able to wipe off the paint residue with naphtha or toluene which should not River, FL 34423 or email them to me at info@furnituredetective.com
disturb the original color. Here again the key is an extraordinary amount of Visit Fred’s newly redesigned website at www.furnituredetective.com and
patience. Good luck. Please let me know how you make out. Thanks for writing check out the new downloadable “Common Sense Antiques” columns in
and thanks for reading my columns. .pdf format. His book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE” is now
available for $18.95 plus $3.00 shipping. Send check or money order for
Q. Hello Mr. Taylor - I have been recently given an old hand carved $21.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL
headboard and footboard of a bed from what could be the fur trade era. The frame 34423
came from the house of a man named Robert Stuart which is now a museum of Fred and Gail Taylor's DVD, "IDENTIFICATION
historical antiquities. Robert Stuart ran the American Fur Trading Company in OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE", ($17.00 +
the early 1800's for a man named John Jacob Astor, America's first millionaire. $3.00 S&H) are also available at the same address.
The museum was renovated in 1996-97 and this bed frame was found in the For more information call (800) 387-6377 (9AM-
attic. It was thrown away probably because of what seems to be minor damage 4PM Eastern, M-F only), fax 352-563-2916, or e-mail
to the left side of the bed where the rails attached the headboard and footboard. info@furnituredetective.com. All items are also
I cannot find a maker's mark anywhere but have noticed the numbers 581 and available directly from the website,
can be seen in a photo I have. Is there some place in particular I should look for www.furnituredetective.com
a maker's mark? I was wondering if you have ANY information on this piece?
Thank you in advance for any help. James.

I-95 LPGA Blvd
A. James - A good story always makes the research more interesting but 265 Mason Ave Daytona New
in this case the facts overwhelm the "fur trade" association. The fur trade era Dunn Ave Int’l Speedway Blvd N Beach St Peninsula
essentially ended around 1850 when the beaver pelt hat went out of style in 92 483 RidgewoodAve Smyrna
Europe. The American Fur Co. failed financially in 1842. Your bed is in the 261 Beville Rd
Renaissance Revival style, a style that was popular in America from around 260 132 400 Clyde Morris US1
1860 to 1890. It was essentially a factory made style produced mostly in the 421 A1A Beach
factories of the mid West - such as in Grand Rapids and Cincinnati. It was the
predominant style at the Philadelphia Centennial Exhibition in 1876. Its massive 256 5 S Atlantic Ave
size earned it the nickname "battleship" furniture. Int’l Speedway Blvd
Traditionally Renaissance Revival furniture is made of walnut but late century US1
articles were made of other woods such as poplar and birch. Yours does not Pioneer Trail Ridgewood Ave Peninsula New Smyrna
92 600
I-4
92
appear to be walnut. Less formal adaptations of the style in reduced size such I-95 NorthCswy Flagler Beach
17
44
New York Ave
as your bed are said to be in the "cottage" version of the style. It is unlikely that 249 44 Canal 1 3 44 Edgewater
600
there is any maker's mark on the bed. 15 10th St Riverside Dr A1A
The real clue to the age of the bed is the hardware used to attach the siderails W Park Ave
to the head and footboards. Your bed uses iron fittings that slide into the two slots Indian River Blvd
in the fitting in the posts. The fittings on the siderails are probably concealed by a 442
square piece of wood. If you remove that wood you will see a "horseshoe" shaped NSB ANTIQUE MALL
piece of iron in a recessed race. Protruding from the end of the closed horseshoe
will be two rectangular pieces that match up to the slots in the footboard. This Quality Vintage & Mid-Century Furniture
type of attaching hardware is a very late 19th century innovation. It was the last
step in bed hardware before the flat steel hooks in use today. (The history of bed Art - Vintage Toys - Estate Jewelry
hardware is explained in detail with illustrations and photographs in my book From New Smyrna’s Oldest Antique Shop
"HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE".) 419 Canal Street • 386-426-7825
Beds very similar yours are shown on pages 28 and 29 of "Victorian Furniture www.newsmyrnaantiquemall.com • skd43@cfl.rr.com
- Our American Heritage" by Kathryn McNerney, published by Collector Books. Mon-Sat 10am-5pm, Sun 12-5pm
Your bed in its current condition would sell at auction for around $100. Thanks
for writing and thanks for the photos. Spend a day shopping
in New Smyrna Bch.
This bed is from the 7 Area Antique Shops
Renaissance Revival +Many Fine Restaurants.
period of the late 19th century. Sure to be an adventure!
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Coronado Antiques

& Collectibles Mall

Over 7,000 sq.ft. of Home Decor, Antiques, Mid-Century Modern,
Nautical & Coastal Furnishings and Much More!
1433 South Dixie Freeway
New Smyrna Shopping Center - (US 1 South)
New Smyrna Beach, FL
386-428-3331

OPEN Mon-Sat 10am-6pm, Sun 12-5pm
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