Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/4/2008

Question
QUESTION: I just acquired this old settee.   All I know is that the owner, a 19 yr. old lady, died in 1910, so it is older than that.   It has springs and straw like substance for padding.
The leather is really in bad shape and I would like to fix it up if it would not devalue it.

ANSWER: Hi Mildred
Nice to hear from you.
While I don't see a question here I think you want to know if it will devalue this lovely cherry settee by having it recovered.
As long as the job is done by competent hands it will not devalue.
This is really a lovely old thing and has its original finish and I think original leather.
I would not tamper with the finish only to clean it and it looks like its in need of cleaning and a nice waxing.
Take a rag dipped in some mineral spirits and rub the wood.
You are going to be amazed at the dirt this takes off.
If you find this is not removing all the grime, then get a superfine steel wool pad and use that dipped in the spirits.
You can clean the leather with some saddle soap.
And really think twice about removing the original leather.
It gives the piece character.
If the stuffing is shedding from the bottom, add a new dust catcher underneath.
Hope this was what you wanted.
Kind Regards
Eileen



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Thanks so much. Do you have any idea of the maker or possible date?   The leather is much worse than it looks in picture.   It has been repaired with hand stitches and is not usable.   The wood is very solid.  I found the number a number 58 stenciled on the inside.

Answer
Hi again Mildred
For some reason the site just wiped out my answer to your second query. Sorry about that.
Hope this gets you.
I don't feel this settee is much older than 1910 But this is out of my line.
Could you contact Fred Taylor.
Fred is our American furniture expert and he is on the same page you found me.
Hope this helps
Kind Regards
Eileen