A while back I wrote about some reading material that pertains to furniture studies; Chipstpone’s American Furniture journal is one prominent title that I never miss. https://pfollansbee.wordpress.com/2010/12/22/add-to-furniture-makers-reading-list/ I just got the 2010 issue of that the other day…so it’s available now from wherever one buys books.
I cut my teeth on furniture studies back in the late 1980s/early 90s with a complete focus on New England furniture of the seventeenth century. Before long that led to some dabbling into English furniture, the source of the stuff here in New England. Alexander showed me Victor Chinnery’s book, Oak Furniture: The British Tradition and the journal Regional Furniture. The latter has become another journal that I don’t miss, even when there’s nothing in an issue that directly interests me, I still collect the issue. You never know where things will lead, so it’s simplest to stay enrolled in the Regional Furniture Society and get the journal as well as their excellent newsletters. I read the newsletters from cover-to-cover, and usually come away wishing I was in England so I could sign up for some of their study days and tours. Maureen & I got to go on one of the weekends up in Yorkshire, just before the twins were born. We’ll get back at some point…
The Society is excellent, a throng of enthused amateurs and professionals, folks in the antiques trade, furniture makers, museum professionals and many other walks of life. The 2010 issue of the journal came earlier this winter, and has 6 articles in 175 pages; fitted out with color and B&W pictures. Here’s the contents:
- Forest Chairs, the First Portable Garden Seats, and the Probable Origin of the Windsor Chair. Bob Parrott
- Lake District Press Cupboards and Salt Cupboards. Sarah Woodcock
- New Light on Fish and Verlander. John Stabler
- Makers of Dy’d, Fancy and Painted Chairs. John Boram
- More about Gillows’ ‘Country’ Chairs. Susan Stuart
- Elaborated Woodwork in Devon Churches. Don White
Furniture studies have no uniform approach; and the work done through the RFS differs from what we read in American Furniture; I like having my toes in both pools. There’s a lot to take from both journals. If you are inclined, see the RFS website to join the society, as a member you get that year’s journal and newsletters; there are also back issues available, more than 20 years’ worth! There’s a link on the membership page of the website where you can pay with paypal, saves having to convert $$ to £…
PETER FOLLANSBEE: JOINER’S NOTES 
Hmmmm. I’ll have to consider the American Furniture.
In the meantime, there are chickies across the Bay, found here and here. Adults occasionally here.
Peter,
It’s been ages … I still have your spoon. I’ve maintained it w/ bee’s wax mixed with a little honey … that way it doesn’t get cruddy and gain an unctuous film that flax seed tends to imparts over time; and the honey imparts a slight amber color and tastes good too. You don’t get that cheap candy wax lips/wax bottle w/the syrup in it taste…it’s also the same wax I rub on my clamps so they don’t rust as quickly and severely … I’d like to get a few more if possible … my in laws ate from Gotenberg