American Antique Furniture

The birth of antique furniture emerged differently. Different periods were welcomed and have overlapped one another. There was the Colonial era that embraced the Jacobean, Queen Anne and Chippendale realm. There was also the federal age which wrapped Hepplewhite, Sheraton and Classical. Along with the birth of these periods, is the existence of different antique valuables.

The American antique furniture also came in existence and was a wide coveted option of many. During the mid of 17th century, Thomas Mulninert designed the oldest American furniture piece. Mulninert was a skillful craftsman from the New Haven colony. Professional building of furniture did not really developed prominence in the United States until the later part of 17th century though.

The American antique furniture styles are relatively distinct to their periods and collectors of these items were frequently partial to single style. In the Pilgrim era, the furniture was heavy and large, attached with some wooden pegs, holding the joints together. They are typically made from pine or oak. Today, they are extremely difficult to find.

American Antique Furniture

The era of William and Mary significantly distinguishes the old pilgrim style. There came a heavy wood relief. There were also ornate designs that make it out from conservative pieces. That feature, matched with polishing made it appear nearly decadent. This type of furniture was mostly made with walnut, pine or maple.

Furniture during the Queen Anne period was extremely sought-after by the avid collectors. It was highly known for its heavy lacquer and intricate scroll work. Cherry, walnut and mahogany were the common kinds of woods utilized to make this kind of American antique furniture.

The period of Chippendale produced another style of antique furniture that was often doubled in order. Usually, the pieces are a combination of Oriental, Gothic or French rococo styles. This is what makes the furniture exquisite. The designer Thomas Chippendale was greatly revolutionary and many mistakenly label his creations as 18th century furniture.

When you plan to buy antique furniture, be sure to test its quality type. You can ask for the categories from the dealer. Usually, it is defined as good, better, best, superior and masterpiece.

There are a lot of specialists in the field of American antique furniture if buyers are interested on this venture. Consulting and researching are best done before making any purchases. Unfortunately, there are just people in the antique industry who take advantage of neophyte collectors. Yet, navigating the antique kingdom is all worthy for really beautiful pieces of furniture.

American Antique Furniture
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A Quick Guide To Mahogany Antique Reproduction Furniture

Mahogany furniture is a largely English furniture institution. Much of the antique furniture originating in the 18th Century was made of mahogany. Not only did it look extremely appealing, it was also widely known for its hard wearing and long lasting properties. As mahogany was not native to England, it was exported from Puerto Rico and Cuba for use in furniture making. However, it is extremely expensive today and is not commonly used for furniture. Antique mahogany furniture is also really expensive so if you are looking to decorate your home then you may want to investigate the possibility of buying mahogany antique reproduction furniture.

Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is beautiful as a result of its carved patterns and rich colouring. It can add character to any room and should be the focal point if it is purchased for your home. Mahogany antique reproduction furniture is very popular and can be used to great effect, regardless of whether you choose to purchase one piece or a whole house full.

Although you will not find mahogany antique reproduction furniture in regular antiques stores, there is still a huge market for it. Craftsmen that make the mahogany antique reproduction furniture are highly skilled individuals and give the pieces character and style. As a result, there are a number of stores that have snapped such pieces up to market them effectively. There are online and offline stores that stock mahogany antique reproduction furniture so it is easy enough to locate and not all that expensive to buy. As it is still made of mahogany it does have a fairly high price tag, but not nearly as high as the real thing.

A Quick Guide To Mahogany Antique Reproduction Furniture

The mahogany used to make mahogany antique reproduction furniture is actually imported from Africa so it should tell a tale in itself. However, by the time its gets you it has a completely different history.

Every piece of mahogany antique reproduction furniture is reliable and should last a lifetime or two. Most pieces are carved in great detail and are very pretty, especially if placed in the right place. The pieces are also functional and can be used in daily life. However, most mahogany antique reproduction furniture is in a more formal style and thus would do well in a room designed for entertaining, such as a dining room or office. Many designs appear in a Victorian style and thus can seem a bit overbearing at times. However, if combined with carpets and walls in lighter tones then it would go extremely well in any room of the house.

You should care for mahogany antique reproduction furniture in much the same way as you would authentic antique furniture, with a little tender loving care and a soft cloth! It can add value to your home and give it an individual flavour that most crave so enjoy it while you can!

A Quick Guide To Mahogany Antique Reproduction Furniture
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You can also find more info on Antique Furniture Lighting and Antique Furniture Reproductions. Antiquefurniturersource.com is a comprehensive resource to know about Antique Funiture.

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Discover Antique Teapots - Learn Where to Find and Buy Them and How to Value Them!

Though the Mayans used something like a teapot 2600 years ago, it's unlikely you'll find one of these while scouring the markets. The Chinese used teapots in the 10th century but they're rarely boxed up in granny's basement. So what is an antique?

An antique is an artifact that's at least 100 years old, and every year another range of teapots moves closer from old or vintage to antique.

It's quite likely that what's being sold as "antique" today is not antique at all but will get there - eventually. Often people use the word "antique" when they really mean vintage or old-fashioned.

Discover Antique Teapots - Learn Where to Find and Buy Them and How to Value Them!

If you love the look, design and shape of antique teapots or vintage teapots then before long you'll find you have a cupboard or sideboard filling up with beautiful ceramic teapots, English teapots, porcelain teapots and Japanese tea pots and can't part with one of them even if you never use them.

And if you're becoming a serious collector then you should learn as much as you can because it collecting antique tea pots can be an expensive diversion even if money is no object.

Scour you local antique shops, auctions and the internet. Introduce yourself to store owners and tell them you're interested in collecting say Yixing teapots or blue teapots or Staffordshire teapots. Leave some contact details and if something turns up they can call you.

Garage sale shopping can reveal some amazing finds particularly if you know your stuff. So educating yourself is definitely an advantage because you'd be amazed at how little people actually understand the value of their possessions.

Thrift shops are another place people have send lots of household items they no longer want. But their castoffs could be the very thing to help along your antique teapot collection. People rarely take time to discover the value items they no longer need. But their lack of time or disinterest is to your advantage, great for the collection and even stories to dine out on.

Estate sales might be a little too much for some but they often have high quality antiques. When you think of the hundreds of cups of tea shared with friends and relatives generation after generation, the tea pot almost becomes a family member, having seen and experienced celebrations or sorrows. The antique teapot becomes an orphan begging for a new home.

Online auctions are another way to collect antique teapots and the variety is huge. If you've spent some time looking at the real thing, not just a few photographs, you will know the value of various pieces before bidding.

One of the first things you want to learn about if you decide to collect antique teapots is their value. This takes an investment of time and everyone makes a few mistakes but you don't want to be taken advantage of or sold something that is not an antique but a copy, 'antiqued' to look like the real thing.

To value an antique of any kind, you must first assess its condition. There will always be wear and tear but the condition of the teapot should also show evidence of quality.

Unless you really know what you're doing, stay away from anything in perfect condition because a teapot in perfect condition is unlikely to be old, but an antique teapot should be anything but shabby. So how do you value an antique teapot?

If the teapot is ceramic or porcelain, are there cracks, or crackling on the surface? If it is made of silver, are there worn spots? Look inside for discoloration from years of steeping tea. Is it stained and dark or light? Look at the holes that lead to the spout. Three or four holes indicate a pot from the eighteenth century. They should look uneven not perfect; which could mean modern. Does the lid fit well on the body? Is it worn, chipped and lost part of its glaze? Is the handle worn? Look for markings on the bottom of the teapot. These tell you who manufactured the teapot, where it was made and even a year. There are many reference books that can help you work out what these antique markings mean. What is the teapots overall shape? Each period had a popular shape and design whether round, pear shape, inverted pear, square or straight sided. Often the more unusual the shape, the more collectible the piece may be.

Condition, shape and desirability, and verification through markings tell you the value of your teapot.

A documented history of the teapot, or a provenance certainly adds to the value but this isn't always possible and only for highly priced items. With so many things to consider when you start to collect also consider the different types of antique teapots:

Staffordshire tea pots Antique silver tea pots Antique ceramic teapots Victorian teapots Sadler teapots Antique Chinese tea pots Yixing teapots Cast iron tea pots Tetsubin teapots

Discover Antique Teapots - Learn Where to Find and Buy Them and How to Value Them!
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If you're really passionate about collecting, buying or selling antique teapots then you must build your antique knowledge in different periods, styles, areas and fashions. Whether it's for your next tea party or just adding to your collection, the more you learn the more you'll know what you like and why you enjoy them so much. If you want to know more about antique teapots, antique plates, tea sets or dishes please visit http://www.antiqueplateworld.com more tips, decorating ideas and information on the wonderful antique world.

Christine McVeigh is author of blog http://www.antiqueplateworld.com for eating, decorating, trading or collecting antique plates, antique dishes, staffordshire, vintage, Victorian, Chinese or English porcelain. Find information on antique markings, Moorcroft, antique blue and more.

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Antique Lionel Trains Price Guide and Valuation

Are you looking to sell your antique Lionel trains? Perhaps you have found a goldmine at your neighborhood garage sale! Or maybe you've discovered a box in the attic filled with these antique Lionel trains. How do you determine their worth?

When it comes down to it, their worth, or their selling price, will depend on several things, not the least of which is how much the buyer is willing to pay you to get it. The most motivated buyers will naturally pay more than someone who is not passionate about it.

The last person you want to sell your antique Lionel train to is one of those people who post ads saying "I buy trains!". These people are in the business of paying the lowest possible cost, and then selling as high as possible. You most likely will not get a good price here.

Antique Lionel Trains Price Guide and Valuation

Who you DO want to talk to is true collectors of antique Lionel trains. They are most likely to give you a fair price, and in this group of people is where you are also most likely to find a motivated buyer. You may have a local group of collectors in your own area. Hobby shops that deal in antique Lionel trains, or provide parts and accessories for them, can guide you in finding the true collectors.

Now that you know where to find a buyer, here are some tips to help you put a price on your antique Lionel train.

The Train Collectors Association has strict grading standards that are followed by the true train collectors in determining valuations. They divide the entire range of conditions into seven categories, ranging from brand new and unused (mint condition) to junk, with some usable parts (poor condition). The seven categories are: Mint, Like New, Excellent, Very Good, Good, Fair, Poor. Your train will fall somewhere into one of these categories.

In addition, there are two excellent guides published each year that can help you to determine a value for your antique Lionel train. These publishers are well respected in this field, and have been publishing these guides for many years. The two guides are:

TM's Lionel Price and Rarity Guide - Volume 1 or Volume 2, depending on the date your Lionel train was manufactured

Greenberg's Pocket Price Guide to Lionel Trains

There are certain things you can do which can make a big difference in your selling price. If your train is in mint condition, plus you have the original box, you will get the highest price possible. So don't ever throw away the box if you have one. Also, clean your train so that there is no dust, grime, dirt, or old built up oil on it. A clean and shiny train that doesn't move can often command a higher selling price than a dirty one that works. In addition, sometimes just cleaning it up and making minor repairs can restore that old train to a more valuable condition.

It also pays to learn how to repair and restore vintage lionel trains. With some of these collectible trains, doing the simple repairs can actually bring you thousands of dollars more when you sell it.

So you see, there is a lot that goes into putting a value on your antique Lionel train. Your best bet to get a great selling price is to do your research on your train, check the established guides, make contact with a collectors club, and present a restored, clean and shiny train to a passionate collector.

Antique Lionel Trains Price Guide and Valuation
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Antique German Cuckoo Clocks

Antique cuckoo clocks are highly popular. Since the early 1700s, cuckoo clocks have become a highly popular collector's item.

Finding an original antique piece from the earlier days, and one that is in working condition can be very expensive. Although German cuckoo clocks today are made with the same perfect quality and hand carving methods, it is still very hard to replace an authentic antique. In auction houses, antique cuckoo clock bids can easily reach millions, provided that the cuckoo clock is certified. Many cuckoo clocks in mint condition have gone for several millions of dollars when auctioned. Antique cuckoo clocks can still be found in many auctions and boutiques all around the world, and if they are authentic they will carry with them a certificate of authenticity, as well as the whimsical scenes and beautiful chimes and music.

You should be very careful if you are planning to purchase an antique cuckoo clock that carries a certificate of authenticity.

Antique German Cuckoo Clocks

Replicas of these clocks can be found readily in online auction sites as well as stores around the world. Just be sure that if you are looking for an antique then an antique piece is what you should get. If you are fortunate enough to already own an antique cuckoo clock, then you should work on its quality and take good care of it. Genuine, working condition antiques are very difficult to get. True German Black Forest antique cuckoo clocks are of high value and worth every penny. Those of you who own one already know a bit of history from that long ago era. Consider yourself fortunate to be among the few people who have that little asset of history in their homes.

Antique German Cuckoo Clocks
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Antique Books

People put a lot of value on antique items because people respect the fact that items that have been made many years ago still serve their purpose today. Evidence to the value that people place on these items is that antique items fetch very high prices, especially during auctions. Given this, buying antiques is not only a considered a good way to decorate your home but also as a worthwhile investment. As such, people who have recently purchased antiques can protect their investments by knowing the ways they can take care of the antiques they own. This applies especially to antique items that are very sensitive and are very vulnerable to wear and tear, including antique books.

Taking Care of Antique Books

In taking care of antique books, one of the most important initial steps that you should take is to know the parts of the book, so that you can identify the most sensitive parts of the books in order to know how to handle the book. The most sensitive part of antique books is the spine, which takes the most "punishment" when books are opened. It is also the thinnest part of the book. If the book is covered in leather, one of the best ways to keep the spine from breaking is to apply mild leather dressing to keep the leather from becoming brittle and vulnerable to cracking.

Antique Books

Antique books are also very vulnerable to humidity, which can cause the book to stain and fosts the growth of mold. Given this, it would be a good idea to keep the book in a clean and dry area. In addition to this, antique books should also be kept away from ultraviolet light because it can cause the leather cover of the book to fade. If possible, try as much as you can to cover your antique books with stable transparent materials like acetate, which can effectively protect your book from the "elements." Lastly and more importantly, if the cover of your antique book comes off, you should always ask the help of a professional in repairing the book because if you try to do it yourself, you can cause more damage and can diminish the value of the book.

Antique items are very valuable, which means that people who own them should take the necessary steps in caring for them. With regard to antique books, this is especially true, as there are a number of ways that people can take care of antique books, thereby protecting their investment.

Antique Books
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Antiques provides detailed information on Antiques, Antique Collectibles, Antique Furniture, Antique Art and more. Antiques is affiliated with Traditional Table Lamps [http://www.e-TableLamps.com].

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The Value of Antique Grandfather Clocks

These days, everything from ovens to telephones silently mark the minutes in glowing red and green letters, rendering the "tick tock" of the mechanical clock increasingly unnecessary. Digital clocks might be more convenient and accessible, but they will never hold our affection the way a good old-fashioned round-faced clock does.

Antique grandfather clocks are not collected for their time-keeping ability, they are a treasured piece of history, an heirloom to pass down to future generations. These classic timepieces are part of our lives, our homes, our families even. They are decorations and sometimes act as the design focal point of a room.

Antique clocks from the mid 1600s still exist. Some of these are worth well over ,000. Some extremely rare models are worth over 0,000. A wise consumer, before spending this type of money, would have any prospective clock appraised before purchase.

The Value of Antique Grandfather Clocks

These timeless treasures are available at flea markets, estate sales, local auctions, and through newspaper ads. Antique grandfather clocks can also sometimes be found at online auction sites. To be certain of a clock's authenticity, you should only buy from a trusted and reputable seller. Read any listing carefully to ensure that the product you are buying is truly an antique. In addition to online auctions, established auction houses hold auctions for antique grandfather clocks, although these may happen only twice a year.

Antiques are a significant purchase, and should not be taken lightly. When buying an antique grandfather clock, there are several things to consider:

oDoes the seller offer any guarantee of authenticity?

oWhat is the total price of the clock? Be sure to figure in shipping charges, tax, financing charges, etc.

oWhat is the clock's condition? Obviously, a clock in excellent condition is considerably more valuable than one that is in poor form. A clock with all of its original components intact is worth more than one that has been restored.

oWhat are your intentions for the clock? If you intend to sell the clock, you need to find it at the absolute lowest price so that you can make a profit. On the other hand, if you are buying the clock purely for enjoyment, you might not be as concerned about original components, identifying marks, etc.

oHow much is the clock really worth in today's market. Knowledge of recent sales of similar clocks is extremely helpful in deciding how much to pay for a clock. If you do not have this knowledge, you should have a professional, unbiased appraisal done.

For those desiring the look of antique grandfather clocks without the hefty price tag, reproductions are available.

No matter how ubiquitous and prevalent digital clocks become, a stately grandfather clock will always have a place in our hearts--and our homes.

The Value of Antique Grandfather Clocks
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Grandfather Clocks Info provides detailed information on antique, contemporary, discount, English, and German grandfather clocks, as well as kits and repair information. Grandfather Clocks Info is the sister site of Cuckoo Clocks Web.

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Understanding Louis XV Antique Furniture

Period History:

Louis XV was the grandson of King Louis XIV and ruled France between 1715 and 1774. He is most commonly known for being one of France's most unpopular kings. During his reign, he managed to upset almost every social group in his country, yet surprisingly, in its own exclusive way, that segregation from his people has led to the Louis XV period antique furniture being some of the most sought after French furniture in the world.

Due to the unbalance of his country, the remaining Louis XV furniture is seen as a great treasure that heralds from a time of grave public unrest in France and symbolises the determination of its people as a whole but, in particular, in its furniture designers to continue to inspire, create and deliver a legacy of beautiful, intricate and detailed furniture which remains to this day a coveted style of design.

Understanding Louis XV Antique Furniture

For all the things that went wrong with Louis XV's reign as King of France, one thing that is undeniable is the detailed quality of the furniture that rose from this dark time in France's history to reer a head of something quite the opposite, both elegant and flowing, in a time of bleak misery.

What Makes Louis XV Furniture Louis XV Furniture?

There are a number of tell-tale design characteristics that articulate this style of design. It is quite common to hear or see pieces of furniture incorrectly described as Louis XV, when in actual fact, they are Louis XIV. What separates the two is actually quite distinctive, and I'll list them below.

Louis XV Furniture is:

Designed more curvaciously Free flowing forms and shapes Not made with straight lines, straight cuts or anything that looks angular Intricately carved and seemingly infinitely detailed Hand painted Shells tend to form the focul points of each design Symbolic of romance, sensuality and love Light and graceful
Louis XV Furniture is not:

Reliant on presence to state its claim, such as Gothic Furniture Made with straight cuts Big, bulky or angular Strong and masculine Machine painted Machine cut

You will find that Louis XIV furniture is quite the opposite in style to Louis XV, and where I've listed the points above that are not associated with Louis XV, you will tend to find these same characteristics present in Louis XIV furniture, for example, it will be more angular and less graceful, more inline with a masculine strength of style than a graceful, romantic wisp as seen in Louis XV furniture. It is a very common mistake, most probably due to the similarities in name, but it is vital when identifying your antique furniture to get the periods correct as unsurprisingly, it can cause chaos for the buyer at auction!

The next problem I tend to see quite often in my field is misselling replicas as originals.

Identifying Real Louis XV Antique Furniture

Yes, as sad as it is, there will always be those amongst us who feel the need to misrepresent antiques for personal gain by selling copies or replicas. When buying antiques, especially online, make sure to use a respected reseller, such as LJR Windwake & Sons, or a seller who specialises in your desired style, in this case, a Louis XV Antique Furniture Specialist. It is vitally important to be utterly scrupulous when buying antiques online at auction sites or dealers, but fortunately, I have some good tips on how to make sure that the piece of furniture you're buying is the real deal.

1. Ask for Details on How the Cupboard was Made

Make sure you ask the seller to explain to you how the piece was made, making sure to get him to describe to you the joints in the wood. If they are visible, and keep in mind that the joinery of an 'antique' would not be machine cut but would in actual fact be hand cut, ask him to describe them to you. Chances are that hand cut joints will be rougher and perhaps not as exact as machine cut joints, which should be a good indication of originality and the antique you are buying is actually an 'antique' and not something that was knocked off a production line in ShenZhen, China, 2006.

The best way to find a cut is to remove a draw and have a close look at where the front and back of the drawer are fastened to the sides of the drawer. If a joint was made by hand, it would be dovetailed and have only a few dovetail joints, and they wouldn't be precisely even. If the dovetails are close together and precisely cut, it will have been machine-cut. Handmade dovetails almost always indicate a piece made before 1860.

2. Look for Imperfections such as Nicks and Cuts

Another great way to help identify the validity of an antique or hand-made piece of furniture would be to look closely for nicks and cuts on the back, sides and bottom of the draw. Nicks and cuts usually indicate a hand operated tool was used to plane, shave or cut the wood. Straight cuts, the kind you'd get from a straight saw, are also good signs whereas cuts that look circular in appearance mean that the cut was made with a circular saw, again not in use until after 1860.

3. Exact Symmetry? No way!

This is probably the easiest tell tale sign of machine made furniture compared to hand made. If something looks exactly symmetrical, chances are its been cut by machines, so make sure you request lots of pictures of the piece of furniture you're buying.

4. Ask for a Detailed Description of the Finish

The style of finish is also a great way of identifying the age of a piece of Louis XV. Certain finishes were in use in different periods which is an excellent way to identify the age of your antique furniture. For Louis XV, it should all be hand painted. Hand painting is often identifiable by slight imperfections in brush strokes or edges, although some of the finest Louis XV won't show any signs of human error, because the quality was so high, it is always advisable to ask for pictures of all paintwork, especially so for imperfections as these can actually ADD to the value of your furniture.

5. Make Sure the Seller Explains the type of Wood used in Manufacture

This is often a simple method of gauging an age because generally, as a rule of thumb, anything before 1700 was made from oak, 1700 onwards (our Louis XV era), mahogany and walnut were the choice woods. if its pine, it normally indicates an American furniture piece and is normally indicative of slightly cheaper works. The really valuable, old antique Louis XV treasures will be made from mahogany or walnut.

Conclusion

Always be careful when buying antique furniture but if you are thinking of buying, make sure you arm yourself with as much research as possible prior to attending auction houses. It is also very advisable to go to an auction with a particular object in mind. Visit the open days, make your notes, go home and research what you've seen and then attend the auctions with renewed knowledge about your purchase and always, always try to get as much information out of the seller as possible, whether buying online or at an auction house.

Understanding Louis XV Antique Furniture
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Information about the Author:

Lee Rushworth is the founder of Sunderland based White Knight Projects Ltd., an investment company who specialise in helping new companies launch their products and services online with new business start up advice, web design sunderland and strategic and financial support. If you are looking to get help starting your new business and are based in the UK, have a good product idea and an insatiable drive to succeed, contact Lee at http://www.whiteknightprojects.com to see what support or investment you could get.

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Collecting Antique Axes

Edge tools are among the earliest tool forms, with surviving primitive axes dated to 8000 B.C.. Early axes were made by "wrapping" the red hot iron around a form, yielding the eye of the axe. The steel bit, introduced in the 18th century, was laid into the fold at the front and hammered into an edge. The side opposite the bit was later extended into a poll, for better balance and to provide a hammering surface.

The handles took on a variety of shapes, some indicative or origin, others relating to function. The length of the handle had more to do with the arc of the swing that was required. Felling axes took a full swing and therefore needed the longest handles. Early axes have their handles fitted through the eye from the top down and the handles remain in place by locking into the taper of the eye, so they can be removed for sharpening.

Later axes, however, have their handles fit through the eye from the bottom up, and have a wedge driven in from the top. This permanently locks the handle to the axe and was much preferred by American woodsmen. Many axes found today had been discarded because the handle was split or broken off. In most cases they can be bought at a fraction of their value and, with another handle, can be restored to their original condition. Most axe collectors have a stock of older flea-market handles that they use for this restoration. Like plane blades, axe handles might have been replaced two or three times throughout the life of the tool. As long as the handle is "proper," meaning, the right shape and length for its function, it won't detract that much from its value.

Collecting Antique Axes

Pricing of antique axes runs the entire gamut from a few dollars to several hundred. Examples of well-made axes would include the Plumb, White, Kelly, Miller and numerous others. Beyond these were axes of sometimes lesser quality, but built to a price, and sold by the thousands. Exceptional examples might include handmade axes, possibly from the local blacksmith, or from a factory that specialized in the handmade article, regardless of price.

There are several types of axes out there such as:

SINGLE BIT FELLING AXE:

This axe is considered the workhorse of the axe family. It is a simple design, varying from a 2 ½ lb. head used by campers to the 4 ½ to 7 lb. head used for forest work. There are heads used in lumbermen's competition that are up to 12lbs.. With the advent of the two-man crosscut saw, and later the power chain saw, tree no longer are taken down by axes. The axe is more a utility tool for clearing branches off the downed tree, and splitting firewood.

DOUBLE BIT FELLING AXE:

Double bit axes always have straight handles, unlike any other modern axe. Almost all axe handles are hickory. Hickory has both strength and spring, and was found very early to be the best for axe handles. Starting in the late 1800's a number of axe manufactures adopted intricate logos that were embossed or etched on the head of the axe. Almost 200 different styles have been identified to date and these have also become an interesting collectible.

BROAD AXE:

The broad axe is not as common as the felling axe, and is a lot larger. It's purpose was to square up logs into beams. It used a much shorter swing that the felling axe, therefore required a much shorter handle. The identifying feature of many of these axes is the chisel edge, that allowed the back side of the axe to be dead flat. Because of that, it posed a problem of clearance for the hands. To keep the hands from being scraped, the handle was canted or swayed away from the flat plane of the axe. This is the feature that should always be looked for when buying a broad axe. If the edge is chisel-sharpened, then the handle should be swayed. As with the felling axe, the broad axe heads have a variety of patterns, mostly a result of geographical preference.

GOOSEWING AXE:

The goose wing axe is one of the most artistic looking tools out there, and it takes it's name from its resemblance to the wing of a goose in flight. It functions exactly as the chisel-edged broad axe, except that the American version has the handle socket more heavily bent or canted up from the plane of the blade. These axes are large and difficult to forge. Many show cracks and repairs and an original handle is rare. Signed pieces, particularly by American makers, mostly Pennsylvania Dutch, are considerably more valuable. Also of importance is the difference in value between American and European axes, the American ones being worth considerably more. A few well-known 19th century American makers whose names appear imprinted on axes are Stohler, Stahler, Sener, Rohrbach, Addams, and L.& I.J. White.

SHIPWRIGHT'S OR MAST AXE:

This axe is used for shaping ships' masts and timbers, and is usually ground on both sides. It varies in length base on local usage. The double pointed ears or lugs are common with this axe.

COOPER'S AXE:

This axe has a lighter handle socket, well canted and carries a very short handle. Although the general differentiation between an axe and a hatchet is that an axe is used with two hands and a hatchet with one, the cooper's axe is one of the exceptions to the rule. It was used mostly for shaping barrel staves, and was almost always used with one hand while the other held the stave.

COACHMAKER'S AXE:

This is an asymmetrical axe used for shaping coach parts in almost a paring manner. The heads vary in size, some styles taking on a "bearded" effect, hence the nickname "bearded axe." These axes are almost exclusively of European origin.

ICE AXE:

Back in the day, ice was harvested in the winter from ponds and lakes and stored in ice-housed for summer use. This was an important winter cash crop for many farmers. There was a whole family of tools developed to serve this industry, among them was the ice axe. Again, local patterns create a variety of styles.

FIRE AXE:

These are sought-after collectibles, because many of the older ones have the fire company's monogram on the head. All have rear pikes used for clearing openings or creating ventilation.

MORTISING AXE:

The blade on these axes are long and narrow to accommodate the size of the mortise hole it was designed to cut, most often for post and beam construction or for post and rail. Some have double bits, one bit sized for the length and the other for the width of the hole.

TRADE AXE:

Trade axes were originally brought over by the French and Spanish and later by the English and were traded to the Indians who held them in very high regard. They were poll-less and small enough to be carried at the belt and used with one hand. The larger variety were known as squaw axes and were used by the women for chopping wood.

TURF or BOG AXE:

Used for cutting turf and peat, these axes are not heavy enough to cut wood.

HATCHET:

Hatchets are small axes used with one hand.

Collecting Antique Axes
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Why Antique Coffee Pots Are So Appealing And Desirable

Antique coffee pots are not something that most people would consider for their modern kitchens. There are whole magazines devoted to kitchens with gleaming stainless steel appliances and all of the conveniences they offer. However, there are those who prefer to have a vintage look to their kitchens, collecting appliances from a long past era to adorn it with. For these people, an antique coffee pot makes a great gift.

I had never even thought of giving let alone owning one of these treasures. If someone had suggested that I get one, I would have thought that if it couldn't brew my coffee at the touch of a button it would never grace my countertops. That line of thinking changed after rummaging around in the attic of the old house my wife and I just purchased and I found one in an old box. I was going to toss it into the trash pile but remembered that my grandmother collected vintage kitchenware, so I decided to see if it was something she'd like to add to her collection.

Antiques

As I drove to her place, I shook my head in sympathy, wondering how people survived without automatic coffee makers. I felt that they could have at least designed it better. This one was made out of metal and was a long way from its modern attractive cousins. It was only about 6" high, so at least they didn't have to be concerned about taking in too much caffeine back then.

Why Antique Coffee Pots Are So Appealing And Desirable

After my grandmother plied me with the obligatory homemade cookies and tea, I showed her the coffee pot. She perked up and took it from me with glee of a child receiving a birthday present. As she looked it over, she pointed out to me that the metal was actually silver and that the design of the pot dated back to the Victorian era. It had the mark of a well known London manufacturer called Goldsmiths Company of London. I couldn't believe it. I had come this close to throwing away a valuable treasure. One that was rich in history and certainly more worthy of display than my modern one. My grandmother got out some silver polish and cloths and cleaned it up. Looking at the transformed pot, I could now see why someone would want to own one. It was really beautiful.

I thanked my grandmother for teaching me the difference between value and cost. My wife and I were planning to redo our old kitchen with all of the modern appliances. My wife shook her head over the cost, but I had insisted. Now I'm going to find away to incorporate the old into the new. I can't wait to see her face when I start dragging her to antique dealers. Grandma will be so proud!

Why Antique Coffee Pots Are So Appealing And Desirable

Gregg Hall is an author living in Navarre Florida. Find more about this as well as Gourmet Coffee Plus [http://www.gourmetcoffeeplus.com] at [http://www.gourmetcoffeeplus.com]

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