Antiques & Collecting: Regency style

Furniture revivals have taken place since at least the 19th century and probably earlier. New technology made earlier ornate styles easier and less expensive to make — and, therefore, more accessible to the average buyer.

Some are difficult to distinguish from authentic pieces. If you see the word “style” in a description, it is probably a copy or revival piece, not an authentic piece from the period.

For example, this wine rack is described as “Regency style.” It was made in the 20th century, not the Regency period, and it sold for $813 at New Orleans Auction Galleries.

The Regency period was from 1811 to 1820 in England, when King George III’s son served as Prince Regent. The corresponding American furniture period is American Empire.

Both Regency and Empire were influenced by classical art of ancient Greece, Rome and Egypt. Mahogany was a favorite wood.

This wine rack imitates mahogany with a dark stain on pine wood. The wine rack has a brass gallery on top and ring handles on the sides, features that can be seen on authentic pieces from the Regency period.

I have an L.C. Smith typewriter, serial number is “1386874B.” Are old manual typewriters worth anything?

Lyman C. Smith and his brothers made guns before they made typewriters. They started making a few typewriters in their gun shop after 1884.

In 1887, they sold the gun business and founded Smith Premier Typewriter Co. in Syracuse, New York. It became L.C. Smith & Bros. Typewriter Co. in 1903.

The company merged with Corona Typewriter Co. in 1925 to become L.C. Smith & Corona Typewriter Co.

Personal computers replaced typewriters in most homes, schools and offices beginning in the 1980s. Smith-Corona no longer makes typewriters; it now makes thermal labels.

The serial number on your typewriter indicates it was made in 1937. Some old typewriters are collectible and sell for a few hundred dollars.

A few rare typewriters sell for more than $1,000. Many common old typewriters sell for $20 to $50.

Tip: To clean furniture, dip your dusting cloth in 1/2 cup of vinegar mixed with a teaspoon of olive oil.

Current Prices

Pottery jar, San Ildefonso, black matte, carved designs with inset turquoise, rounded form, Juan Tafoya, 5 1/4 x 5 3/4 inches, $115.

Quilt, pieced, nine-patch pattern, 16 squares, each with nine yellow diamond patches, blue and yellow sawtooth border, white ground, Pennsylvania, 1910, 72 x 72 inches, $260.

Daum dish, frog on a lily pad, pate de verre glass, irregular shape with figural frog on rim, green shaded to yellow to gold, marked Daum France, 2 3/8 x 6 x 6 inches, $500.

Poster, travel, Meeting of the Chiefs, Native American man on horseback, rock formations in background, Atchison, Topeka and Santa Fe Railroad Co., copyright 1949, 18 x 24 inches, $620.