ON THE COVER -
June Issue 2005
Star Wars Forever....by Robert Reed
Sometime in the future Star Wars will become the number one watched movie of all time. With the single exception of E. T. the film was number one at the box office even before its 20-year-revivial and encore. Parents re-experienced it with their children, while grandparents sometimes bought tickets for three generations. At this rate the 1970s trilogies creation by George Lucas will last forever.

Wicker Furniture: Born in the U.S.A....by Judy Penz Sheluk
Although the origins of wicker can be traced back to 4000 B.C. Egypt, the oldest known piece of American wickerwork came aboard the Mayflower in 1620. Folk lore has this wicker cradle being used to rock Peregrine White on the journey to the New World. In the 17th and early 18th century, trading of rattan was primarily between China and England. The outer cane was used to weave the backs and seats of wooden chairs, with the center reed treated as waste. Although early examples of this technique were wide and bulky, by the end of the 17th century fine cane chair seats were being crafted in England and France.

Q. I have an almost complete set of “Geisha Girl” dishes. Can you please guide me to the right books for further research?
A.    Elyce Litts, P.O. Box 394, Morris Plains, NJ, 07950 authored a book, “Collector’s Encyclopedia of Geisha Girl Porcelain” , published by Collector Books. Unfortunately it is out of print, but can be acquired if you contact a used bookstore, or the author.

The Games People Played....by Carol J. Perry
I was a lucky little kid. My Dad worked for Parker Brothers, the famous Salem, Massachusetts game manufacturer. I was raised, it seems now, amidst a cheerful, colorful clutter of wonderful games. Sometimes I was allowed to visit the big old rambling factory where Daddy was foreman of the Box Department. I watched, fascinated, as bright, shiny paper labels passed quickly over rollers revolving in trays of steaming hot glue.

Highwaymen on the Road...by Fred Taylor
Geoff Cook of Apopka became interested in the art of the Florida Highwaymen in 1995 after reading an article by Jeff Klinkenberg in a St. Petersburg newspaper. He decided he wanted to own at least one painting of each type, sunset, river scene, seascape, etc. by each original member of the Highwaymen.

Q. I am trying to stain an oak chair to match my antique dark mahogany desk but am not having any luck. I have read in "expert" books to apply two or more coats of stain to deepen the color but every time I wipe on the second coat the first coat dissolves and I am right back where I started. I even tried to spray the stain but it just drips off. What's the solution?.

THE ANTIQUE DETECTIVE
19th Century European Bronze Judged by Signatures and Foundry Marks

Ever wonder why some bronze figures are priced in the thousands and others in the low hundreds?  Much depends not only on the quality of the work but the name of the sculptor and often the foundry mark. Yet, many of the best known sculptors such as P. J. Mene and A. L. Barye who had their own foundries used no mark.

Moving Your Treasures:...by Michael Boyd
Whether it’s a family heirloom passed down over several generations, a rare find from an antique shop in Seaside, Fla., or Hollywood memorabilia purchased from eBay’s online marketplace, everyone has items they treasure. In fact, technology unveils a new world of opportunity for collectors.

Rock On - Platform Rocker Springs...by Fred Taylor
Chicago is frequently referred to as America's "second city" although most Chicago residents probably don't feel that way. But where the subject of older furniture is concerned Chicago is often overlooked. New England is viewed as the bastion of so-called "real" antiques with Boston, Philadelphia, Newport and the like getting most of the glory for their 18th century treasures.