Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1928-08-12
IMPORTING ANTIQUES
BY FREDERIC J. HASKIN.

the tourists as we'll as the dealers are
guilible in this. Is going 10 get honest
Americana in England is too innocent
to be allowed to exchange paper doI-
lars for silver nnes.
Although most dealers can distir-
guish Duncan Phyfe from Sheraton,
Empire and furniture of the transition
period. they are at a disadvantage in
buying abroad It is admitted by a veil
known dealer in antiques who has been
cabinet maker and who knows his
dovctails that IL is difficult 70 detect
the fragrant limitations that are on the
market. In England, unlike this coun
try. there are vast quantities Of OH
wood, and labor is sufficiently cheap
10 make II worth while 20 employ
mechanics TO do the initiative wort.
that requires a high grade If skill.
Here it is not profitable to employ
a cabinet maker 10 make over old pam
els into tables and chairs and chests
The type Of furniture which IS the
vogue in the United States al this time
Is recognized by certain characteristics.
The pedestal table with delicate reed
ing and splay legs with brass claws and
chairs with Tyres in the backs or tables
with them as supports are Duncan
Phyfc. However, there were other cabi-
net makers whose products are archi-
tecturaliy similar.
Originals Bring Good Prices.
A table of the Duncan Phyfe period,
which Is loyal to the finest in this mans
/ designs, may command as high as
| $4,000. Chairs have sold in New York
| for $3.50 apiece They are proportion
| ately more valuable in sets. II is obvious
| that it is profitable to go into the BUSH
| ness Of changing the name Of furniture
! equally beautiful and worth while 70
\ suit the Whims Of buyers vino do not
/ know the difference.
+ Another phase Of the collecting mania
I is that for garnering old glass Experts
/ admit that il is most impossible q de-
/ toct reproductions. Consequently the
I hobby is getting less popular A per-
i fume bottle made In Holland can be
/ mistaken for Stiegal The label Sand
/ wich covers a multitude of glass and
/ the limitations can be so perfect that
/ not one person in thousand can de-
/ tect them.
/ Collecting is not a hobby that belongs
/ TO any one class Of persons or Is applied
/ to any one class of things. Henry Ford
1 preserves an old inn and a little red
/ schoolhouse Some one else specializes
in cream pitchers and sugar tongs
4 Others roam the world for fine porce-
/ lain or pewter The small boy, even
the grown-up, has his postage stamps
/ or his pocket full Of odds and ends
/ Those with the ptobia buy books be-
tween whose covers they never look.
/ prints Of various nations, and even
/ valentines.
American Taste.
+ Perhaps it is the practical taste Of
/ the American that has made him sue
cumb to the antique furniture collect
/ ing habit Here is a collection which
/ with a few braces. can be sat upon, or
/ linen stored therein, or dinner served
+ thereon.
Where are the antiques coming from
/ There are a few fine pieces still grin1lr
I lung to by families Of the original
/ owners who are determined or wealthy.
/ There are the cast-offs from the anti
1uarian who. by acquisition and elinli-
/ nation, is improving his collection and
/ which are constantly changing hands.
I Last. and sad to relate to those with
/ illusions. there are the fakes. Shera-
/ tons are called Duncan Phyfes Cum
+ ningly created pieces were once hne
/ oak or pine panels
And the buyer who wants to boast
| Of his fine piece Of Duncan Phyfe and
I not Of its beauty its usefulness or It's
suitability. it has been whispered de-
/ 7erves what he gets when he buys b.
I he label