The San Francisco call., 1910-12-18
"The Lure of the Antique"

By Walter a. Dyer. published by the Cen
tury company, New York. Price s2.4oD
The purpose Of Walter A. Overs book.
The Lure of the Antique" is explained
in a long subtitle: A book of ready
reference for collectors Of old fGrni-
ture. china, mirrors. candlesticks. sill
verware, posters, glassware. copper
utensils clocks and other household
furnishings Of our American forefath-
ers. and a handy guide for the deter
mination OF age. style. maker. genuine
ness and value 80 The book is
a sort of primer for amateurs. but will
be found of use as well as of interest
70 the veteran collector. The author
never allows sentiment to run away
from him and does not agree with the
collectors who say that antiques exist
for their own sake TO be treasured and
admired. He believes they have dis
tinct use: It believe that antique furni-
ture can be made to serve a distinct
purpose in the modern home. particu-
lsrly the spacious country home. He
tells us the prices OF the various arti-
cles. q branch of the subject seldom
touched upon in books, which is a
great help 10 the beginner.
The chapter headings will give a fair
idea Of the subjects and manner of
treatment: The Quest for the Old and
Beautiful" "Old Chairs in Modern
Houses" "Old Desks and Secretaries"
Tables and Sideboards." -Four Poster
Bedsteads and Others" Some Old
Clocks" The Looking Glass Of Hun
dred Years Ago" "Old Lamps and Can
dlesticks" .Old Blue Stafordshire'
The Beautiful Pottery Of Wedgewood.'
"Iuster Ware" "Lowestoft - The
Porcelains-Salt Glaze" English and
American Glassware" Bohemian
Glassware" The Collecting Of Old
Sfiverurare" The Pewter on the Dres-
ser" "Shefield Plate .'old Brass and
Conner Utensils" Where Ancient
Back Logs Glowed," and The Truth
About Antique Furniture
The wide range Of subjects means
that each one IS briefly treated but
enough space is given to each one to
prove that the author understands his
subject and knows just how much is
necessary and useful to the beginner.
Perhaps the most valuable chapter
in the book is the last in which the
author gives many suggestions Tor
determining whether Of not the object
under consideration is fake" He eau
tions all to beware of auctions for the
excitement causes hysteria ana besides
careful inspection is difflcult The book
is allied with illustrations from pheto-
graphs. which add as much to the value
a. 10 the interest Of the book. II is
companion volume to The Quest OF
the rol5niain by The Shackletons, which
appeared last year.
-
The remarkable John Bigelow has
written two articles which form this
little book published under the title
..,rbe Foliy Of Building Temples Of
peacs with Untempered Mortar" The
reel democratic doctrine is impress
sfS-elv preached by Afr. Bigelow in these
srtfcies. which were brought forth by
5nvitatton to him to join various organ
izstions for the purpose Of promoting
-,esee among the nations of the earth
an5 for the reconciliation Of interna-
tsonal differences. a substitute for war
Tbase two articles form his excuses
Cor declining those invitations. The
a,t+,or declares that peace efforts are
,,eeless until the war causes are re-
,-,o,ed viz: the tariffs on imports. He
Ives MANY reasons for his beliefs and
e,,nresses himself clearly and sanely;
INCIDENTALLY giving a few hard raps TO
NJ roosevelt and the Rev. Dr. Lyman
abhotf The second article suggests
s,,bsfifnte for tariff to raise revenues
H. e,,~pests that the state be entitled
~ snare in the profits OF all fran
= SOS II is impossible in review TO
81 irto the subject thoroughly, but the
6ooll - we'll written and much benefit
VIII be derived from a careful reading
of the authors views. lB. \. Huebch
& Co, \. "