AboutFred Taylor Expertise I will attempt to answer questions about American antique furniture, including construction details, style, period, manufacturers, care, repair and storage. I do not have any background in appliances, musical instruments, sewing machines, lighting and clocks and will not respond to quesions about those items.
Experience I ran an antique furniture restoration business for twenty years. I am a nationally syndicated columnist on the subject of antique furniture for such publications as Antique Week and New England Antiques Journal. I have produced one video on the subject of furniture identification and my book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available.I have also published articles in Antique Trader, Chicago Art Deco Society, Northeast Magazine, Victorian Decorating and Lifestyles, Professional Refinishing, Antiques and Art Around Florida and Antique Shoppe. You can visit my website at www.furnituredetective.com
Education/Credentials BSBA Finance, University of Florida, MBA Finance, University of Florida
Expert: Fred Taylor Date: 5/25/2008 Subject: Civil War Field Desk ?
Question Dear Fred, I have a desk that I was told was a Commanders Desk from the Civil War. It's legs unscrew to be packed in the desk. The front folds up and shows four copartments,a pen holder on the right side and a slide-out writing surface. Could this be correct? Thank you ...Doug
Answer Doug - It certainly could be correct but you would need to do some careful research. You need to confirm that the construction of the desk is mid 19th century - correct joinery, correct fasteners, etc. Then you need to find some provenance - written history of the desk that ties it to a given period,person or event. Then you need to have it authenticated by an expert in Civil War articles.
If you send me some photos I may be able to help with the construction portion of the identification. You can send clear photos to me as .jpg files at info@furnituredetective.com. Please send the photos directly to me as .jpg files. DO NOT put them in an online photo album. Be sure to include a copy of your original inquiry so I can match them up or I will not respond.
Thanks
Fred Taylor
“HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE”
www.furnituredetective.com
