Question: Where can we possibly find authentic reproductions of 17th century furniture? We want to furnish our country home in such a manner, but no one or no place we've asked can provide us with such information. Can you offer any suggestions as to who might make such reproduced pieces?
-James Peterson, Decatur, Ill.Answer: To order or check out prices for reproduced 17th century or Early American furniture and accessories, write Alex Pifer c/o the Seraph East, P.O. Box 500, 420 Main St., Sturbridge, MA 01566. Or phone 1-800-X-Seraph toll free for information.
Pifer offers authentically reproduced 17th century tavern tables with breadboard ends, joint stools, pilgrim, and heart and crown style chairs, as well as Brewster armchairs and early flame stitch upholstered Jacobean armchairs. He also provides a wonderful selection of William & Mary gateleg tables, highboys, lowboys and desks-on-frames, along with early lighting, hanging herbs and candles, blown trumpet-shaped glasses, pewter, pottery, ironware, tinware, and other tableware and accessories.
You'll definitely want to check out Pifer's Seraph booth at the Country Folk Art Festival, March 20-22 at Kane County Fairgrounds on Randall Road, between Routes 64 and 38 in St. Charles, Ill., near Chicago.
For show details or directions, phone Judy Marks at 630-858-1568.
Also, a terrific book that covers American furniture styles from Jacobean to Early Victorian is "American Furniture, Seventeenth, Eighteenth, and Nineteenth Century Styles," by Helen Comstock. It is available for $48.90 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, P.O. Box 59354, Chicago, IL 60659, or contact the publisher, Schiffer Publishing, at 610-593-1777.
Question: How can I contact the Ohio potters (mentioned in a past column) who make miniature jugs decorated with birds and animals, and redware plates inscribed with meaningful mes-sages?
-Stella Johnson,
Milwaukee, Wis.
Answer: Write David T. Smith and Earthly Goods for pottery pieces and their prices, at 3600 Shawhan Rd., Morrow, Ohio 45152, or phone 513-932-2472.
Question: My husband is an absolute nut about the Kingston Trio. Is there a Kingston Trio fan club or newsletter available? Also, do you know of anyone who collects Kingston Trio stuff?
-Liz Orndorff, Danville, Ky.
Answer: To check out Kingston Trio "stuff," write the Kingston Korner c/o Allan Shaw, 705 S. Washington St., Naperville, IL 60540. Enclose your name and address to be put in touch with Kingston Trio fans, or be informed of Kington Trio shows, or to request and receive a free Rediscover Music Catalog subscription published six times a year, which offers Kingston Trio audio and visual merchandise. Or, phone Rediscover Music toll free at 1-800-232-7328 for a free catalog.
Question: I have a large collection of all kinds of jewelry - pins, necklaces, beads, earrings, and bracelets - some which are old. Are there any books which picture and price such pieces, so I'll know how to price them for sale?
-Evelyn Noel, La Porte, Texas
Answer: Good books on the subject include include:
- "Popular Jewelry, 1840-1940 - 2nd Edition With Revised Price Guide," by Roseann Ettinger. It is available for $32.90 postpaid from Ace Enterprises;
- "Forties & Fifties Popular Jewelry - With Price Guide," by Roseann Ettinger. It is available for $32.90 postpaid from Ace Enterprises;
- "Popular Jewelry of the '60s, '70s, & '80s - With Price Guide," by Roseann Ettinger. It is available for $32.90 postpaid from Ace En-ter-prises.
The books may also be obtained by contacting Schiffer Publishing at 610-593-1777.
For specific jewelry price guides on a particular type of jewelry - silver, Bakelite, copper, rhinestone, cameos, or whatever - write me.
Question: I collect old brass blow torches. I understand there's a club for collectors. Can you provide me with membership information?
-Stanley Hill, Waverly Hall, Ga.
Answer: A club that'll blow your mind is the Blow Torch Collectors Club. Write to it c/o Ron Carr, 3328 258th Ave. SE, Issaquah, WA 98027-9173. Enclose a self-addressed stamped envelope for information on membership, which includes The Torch newsletter, or phone Ron at 206-557-0634.
Question: I have an extensive collection of matchbook covers dating back to the late '40s. How can I ascertain their value?
-Mabel Hellinas, Pittstown, Pa
Answer: A fascinating book is "The Matchcover Collector's Price Guide - 2nd Edition," by Bill Retskin with contributions by John Williams. It is available for $24.50 postpaid from Ace Enterprises, or contact the publisher, Antique Trader Publications, at 319-588-2073.