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About robert klein
Expertise
In regards to antique, vintage and collectible furniture I can help with wood identification, styles, age, and periods. As with all things, looking at pictures is not as good as actually handling the object. I am a qualified to answer questions about repair, restoration, refinishing, finishes, coatings, stains, historical coatings and materials.
SEND PICTURES WITH YOUR QUESTIONS OR THE QUESTION WILL LIKELY BE REJECTED.
Experience
I have been in the antiques furniture and restoration business for 40 years and have continued my education in the trade by attending workshops and seminars through the Smithsonian, MESDA, and other organizations.
Organizations
Professional Refinishers Groop, Int.
AIC
Education/Credentials
BA Florida State University 1970
BA University of West Florida 1971
Past/Present Clients
This is a list of people that i know personally across the country that are competent, knowledgeable and skilled refinishers, restorers and conservators.
AL Elberta Jim Cole Antique Works;
AZ Phoenix Hal Resnikoff The Village Woodsmith;
CA Fort Bragg Joe Amaral Wood Finish Services;
CA San Clemente Michele Rosen Michele Rosen Woodfinishing & Conservation;
CT Bridgeport Jim Young Old Gold Furniture Restoration;
GA Atlanta Brian Hillman Hillman's Restoration;
GA Bogart Fred McLean McLean's Refinishing;
GA Atlanta Alan Noel A. Noel Furniture Refinishing;
GA Atlanta Brian Webster Brian Webster;
KS Topeka Dave Macfee Macfee Refinishing;
KS Topeka Ben Myre Macfee Refinishing;
MA West Newbury Bruce Hamilton Bruce Hamilton Antique Restoration;
MA Dedham Robert Judd Judd Refinishing;
MD Monrovia Kevin Hancock Hancock Piano Restorations;
MI Armada Al Venditelli Armada Furniture Services LLC;
MN Bemidji Don MacKinnon MacKinnon Woodworks;
NC Winston Salem Martin O'Brien Martin O'Brien Cabinetmaker;
NY Holbrook Dean Camenares East End Wood Strippers;
NY Brooklyn Emily MacDonald Korth Emily MacDonald-Korth;
NY Latham Mike Mascelli Fine Upholstery;
OR The Dalles Frank Laroque LaRoque's Wood Shop;
SC Charleston Paul Garbarini Heirloom Finishes;
TN Oak Ridge David Reeves Classic Furniture Restorations;
TX Aledo Joe Hornor Little Jack Horner's Furniture Restoration;
TX Houston Fred Woodall Fred Woodall Repair Service;
VA Roanoke Dick Patch Astonish Antique Restoration;
WI Milwaukee Bill Balsiger Artisan Restorations;
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You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Antiques: UK > Collectibles-General (Antiques) > Birdseye Maple Armoire
Expert: robert klein - 11/6/2009
Question
When I acquired this armoire the skeleton key was missing. I know very little about this armoire and I'm wondering if you could help me identify it (age/origin/maker), perhaps find another skeleton key. I unscrewed the lock & found that the words "NICO LETCHWORTH" was stamped on the back of the lock. I googled the name & nothing meaningful came up.
The bowed front doors and the sides of the armoire are Birdseye maple veneer. The 2 vertical thin strips of wood next to the door hinges are solid birdseye maple. I noticed that in certain areas of the doors there was a white powdery substance that kept reappearing no matter how many times I wiped it with a slightly moistened cloth. It also appeared that the front doors had a thicker & glossier finish than the sides. I did the alcohol test on the sides & I believed it to be shallec. However, the front doors are not bothered by the alcohol. Due to the white powder reappearing I decided to kleen strip it. After the finish was gone, I realized that the white powder came from areas of the veneer where there are prominent line (not cracks). I'm thinking perhaps the wood has expanded/contracted somewhat causing the original finish to fail & someone came along & put on a coat of glossy transparent finish on the doors. Maybe the wood kept shifting underneath the finish causing the white powder to reappear. Now that the finish was gone, I decided that I needed a repairable finish, or maybe a more flexible finish that I can periodically reapply without having to deal with the white powder. I used pure tung oil mixed with a little bit of mineral spirit, applied it multiple times, so far I see no white powder. But, the armoire is now a darker finish than I'd like. The veneers on the doors are darker than the 2 thin strips of solid birdseye maple although I applied the same amount of tung oil on both. Is there anything I could have done differently to keep the doors a lighter color & not to have to deal with the white powdery stuff?
Thanks in advance for your help.
Answer
to have kept the doors lighter is hard to answer but sanding a bit and making sure they were clean after stripping then staining with a light stain or glaze might have helped but it could be that just is what the wood wanted to do and could not have been avoided with the materials available to you.
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