Q. I hear references to Stickley all the time but I am confused about who he was and why he was so famous. Can you shed any light on the subject?

A. One reason you hear so many references about Stickley is that there were so many of them. Its not just a single "him". There were in fact five Stickley brothers in the furniture business more or less all at the same time in various combinations of partnerships and companies. It started as Stickley Brothers in 1884 when all the brothers were in business in New York . The brothers were Gustav, the oldest, John George, Leopold, Albert and Charles, the youngest. That company broke up very quickly. Charles formed his own company in partnership with an uncle named Brandt and the company was called Stickley-Brandt. They made very fancy late Victorian furniture, some Arts and Crafts and some Colonial Revival. The company folded in 1919 and Charles died soon after that. Albert and John George went to Grand Rapids and started another Stickley Brothers Furniture Co. John George soon left but Albert remained until his death. This company produced mostly Colonial Revival. When John George left Grand Rapids he teamed up Leopold to form the L. & J. G. Stickley Furniture Co. They made Arts and Crafts/ Mission furniture that was virtually identical to that of Gustav. When Gustav went out of business Leopold and John George bought his shop.  Gustav was the inspirational leader of them all. He was immersed in the Arts and Crafts movement after a trip to England. Upon his return he opened his Craftsman studio and produced the ultimate line of furniture of the period until he was driven out of business by copycats, including some of his own brothers.

 Q. I recently acquired a very old chest of drawers that had been stored in a damp barn for a long time. Parts of it are covered in black mold and mildew. I have wiped it down with water but it keeps coming back. Someone suggested using lemon oil polish to remove the black stuff. Will that keep it from coming back?

 A. Mold and mildew are living, growing organisms and thrive in dark damp places. That's why you won't be able to get rid of it just wiping it down with water. It's like mowing the grass. You are just taking off the top without really killing it. There is nothing in lemon oil polish that will permanently remove the mess and keep it form coming back. In fact there is nothing in lemon oil polish at all to recommend it for any use on furniture. 

 You need to use a mixture of two caps of household bleach in a quart of warm water. Wipe down the entire cabinet inside and out, not just the areas where you see mildew. Be sure to wipe the drawer bottoms and backs, as well as the back on the cabinet and underneath. Let it dry thoroughly overnight and do it again just to make sure. Then put a light coat of paste wax over the finish to protect it.

 Q. I just bought a very old, hand hewn dough bowl from the 1800's. It has never had any finish on it and it is looking very dry. I don't want it to look like it just got a new coat of polyurethane on it but I think it does need something to keep it from drying out completely since it doesn't get used anymore.  What do you suggest?

A. Anything you do to the old bowl is going to change the color slightly by making it deeper and richer looking. The best thing in this case since you just want to seal it up a little and don't plan to use it is some Watco Danish Oil, natural. It will provide some surface protection but will not leave the bowl looking new. Just follow the directions on the can. It adds a nice mellow glow to old wood and really brings out the character. Just be careful with the rags you use. They have a tendency toward spontaneous combustion. Used rags should be sealed in a jar or can filled with water and discarded very carefully.

 Visit Fred's website at www.furnituredetective.co Fred Taylor's new book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available for $18.95 plus $2.00 S & H. Send check or money order for $20.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423.

Fred and Gail Taylor's video, "IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE", ($29.95 includes S & H) is also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377, fax (352) 563-2916, or e-mail fmtaylor@aol.com