From: mike@cc.gatech.edu (Mike McCracken)
Newsgroups: rec.antiques
Subject: Re:  Gustav Stuckley
Date: 6 Oct 92 12:51:57 GMT
Organization: Software Research Center, Georgia Tech.

In article <1992Oct5.202758.22122@dsd.es.com>, apetty@dsd.es.com (Annie Petty) writes:
|> 
|> 	Could anyone share information with me (or suggest 
|> 	where I could find the information) on a furniture
|> 	maker named Gustav Stuckley (sp? Stickley).  I understand
|> 	there were 2 brothers in New Jersey that hand made 
|> 	furniture.  
|> 	
|> 	I have a complete dining room set (table, 4 leaves,
|> 	3 chairs, 1 captains chair, china closet and buffet)
|> 	and would like to know more about this set other than
|> 	it was purchased in 1928.
|> 
|> 	Thanks in advance
|> 
|> 	Annie
|> 
You'll probably get deluged with responses but here goes.
The name is Gustav Stickley and his factory was in the Syracuse, New York area.
He had a major showroom in New York City.  He had several brothers who at 
various times were in business with him, competed with him or that he joined.
L&JG Stickley was in Fayetville, NY.  Stickley Brothers was in Grand Rapids,
Mich.  Other company names at times were United Crafts (Gustav Stickley's original
company name), Charles Stickley (in business by himself for a while), Stickley
Brandt (another early company).
Anyway, Gustav Stickley primarily made furniture in the Arts and Crafts Style,
or commonly known as mission.  The style derived from English origins of the 
so called Arts and Crafts Movement and was severely restrained, rectilinear, and 
finished in dark colors.  The point was a move back to hand craftsmanship, and 
purity of design.  Thus the typical pieces exhibit exposed jointery, metal that
retains its planishing marks and generally a rugged and simple appearance.
Your dining room set (if Gustav Stickley), was made between 1901 and 1916.
If you want help in identifying the set, I will need the following info.  Pictures
are the best, followed by a careful description including dimensions.  Things
like do the chair backs have vertical or horizontal slats and how many.  How
are the seats constructed.  Are there any curves on any connecting pieces.  Does
the china have a flat top or gallery top.  How many drawers are in the buffet, 
and what does it look like.  Finally, a description of the marks on the pieces.
Their dimensions, whether or not the name is G. Stickley, Stickley, or 
Gustav (or possibly Gustave) Stickley, is the mark black or red?  Finally, if 
there is a paper label, what does it say?  With that info and the design, I can
date the pieces to within a couple of years, and give you a valuation.
If you want more info about the period, or in particular Gustav Stickley, I 
would recommend the following reading (a good local library or better yet, 
architecture library at a university should have some of these books).

Books on the movement include, The Forgotten Rebel, John Crosby Freeman
Gustav Stickley, Mary Ann Smith (primarily his house designs).
The Art that is Life, Wendy Kaplan
Furniture Books, Furniture of the Arts and Crafts Movement, David Cathers
If you get stuck, let me know, I can point you to probably 20 or so more 
books, but I can't remember most of them since I am at work.
In addition, many companies have reprinted catalogs of the Arts and Crafts 
Makers and they are often in libraries as well.

I'll quit before this gets to long, but let me know if you would like to 
continue this discussion off line.

Mike
From: krb@hpuerca.atl.hp.com (Kevin Barnes)
Date: Fri, 25 Sep 1992 17:00:29 GMT
Subject: Re: Shaker chest, circa 1840
Organization: the HP Response Center, Atlanta