"An invaluable source

of basic information

for the antique hobbyist."

This DVD is a beginner's guide to determining the age and authenticity of furniture using construction techniques, materials and styles.

Never before has so much useful information been available in one place to the weekend browser and collector. Nearly forty minutes of easy to follow, step-by-step instructions on identifying and dating older and antique furniture. You'll be referring to it often as it becomes a useful and permanent addition to your reference library.

Perfect for the enthusiastic but uninformed antique furniture hobbyist, this DVD teaches furniture identification by three main methods as follows:

You'll learn how to determine the age of a piece through drawer construction, joinery types, nails and screws, bed hardware, chair joints and more

How to date furniture by what it's made of; different types and styles of woods, both solid and veneer.

You'll become familiar with styling and design features that are unique to different time periods.

Includes a section on major historical events that affected furniture manufacturing through the last 250 years. 

Each subject is clearly demonstrated using many different examples of period furniture plus clarifying illustrations.

Approximate length: 40 minutes

DVD is $17 + $3 S& H (Canadian residents please add $5.00)

DVD Reviews

“Is that nice old chair you bought at the auction from this century or could it be a real antique? Fred Taylor presents the basics for the furniture-buying neophyte who wants to venture forth armed with a little knowledge.

Buyers should be aware of three variables that help determine the age, and thus the price of old and antique furniture: construction technique, materials and style. Details of handmade and machine made joinery are explained. Taylor also shows the history of the manufacture and use of nails and screws as fasteners. Material (such as wood and veneers), processes, (solid, carved and plywood construction), and an overview of American Furniture styles from Queen Anne to Depression, round out the tape.

Each point is well illustrated by drawings and close-ups of the furniture itself. An excellent addition to any public library collection.” – Library Journal

"Nothing fancy here. Fred and Gail Taylor have produced a video that sets out to give the weekend browsers/collectors tips and tools enabling them to identify furniture, mostly dating from 1840 to 1950.

Beginning with history, the video is divided into short segments, including construction techniques, drawers, veneers, rockers, styles and more. Fred Taylor, who narrates the approximately 40-minute video guides the viewer with a good combination of close-up video photography and hard information.