Page 46 - June 2018 Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
P. 46
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to present:
Asheford Institute of Antiques
www.asheford.com
APPRAISERS CORNER A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966
Certified Appraisal Training
Hello! they have, so prices can be low. Ames Aire
of Minnesota (of all places!) made light-
I stumbled across your Journal in a search weight outdoor furniture in a variety of
for more information about four chairs I got colors, including white, turquoise,
today. This is a pretty rough before photo, yellow, orange, and lilac, among others.
and I have since spent time and elbow grease Table tops were made from “ripple mist”
cleaning them up today. glass. The hallmark of Ames Aire
Could you help me to identify them? From furniture was their zinc-coated tubular
my research they look Amis Aire. I found a framework and strong vinyl cording. This
larger set photo that seems a perfect match. zinc coating allowed the furniture to
But the smaller set I haven’t been able to find. better withstand the elements.
Thank you! From the photo, you appear to have
-Bonnie in Wilmington, NC four white Ames Aire chairs in very good
condition. The framework looks good
Dear Bonnie, with no bends or breaks, and the vinyl
cording appears to be intact in all four
How nice to hear from someone from chairs. It’s difficult to tell from the one
North Carolina! photo the size of the chairs, but if two are
Thank you for submitting the photo smaller than the others, I don’t think it
of the four patio chairs you recently would make much difference in the value,
found. I think you have stumbled upon a as these chairs in good condition are very
real treasure. rare to find.
Generally speaking, outdoor furniture Currently, outdoor furniture is a “hot”
is not well documented due to its short market item! I have seen these chairs
“shelf life.” Because of its exposure to the offered in a wide range of prices, from
elements—sun, wind, rain, and snow—outdoor furniture was replaced every $175 for one chair to $2,000 for a set of four in turquoise. Due to their rarity
few years. As it aged, labels denoting makers have fallen off, so mis-identifica- and condition, I would estimate this set of Ames Aire chairs to be between
tion is commonplace. $1,350 and $1,850.
Against all odds, however, some outdoor furniture has withstood the I hope you paid much less than this! I also think they would make perfect
elements and collectors began to take note of different manufacturers whose seating to watch Wilmington’s wonderful Azalea Festival! Enjoy them, but
styles were especially appealing. Collectors began taking better care of outdoor please hose them down periodically as the salt air can have a corrosive effect.
furniture by storing them in basements or sheds during the “off” season, which
helped to preserve some of the more popular styles. Best,
As you might expect, outdoor furniture was most popular in areas of mild Walker
climates, such as Southern California, Arizona, and Florida, where it could be
used on a year-round basis. In the mid-1950s and 60s, outdoor entertaining Walker Haigh is an Honors Graduate and Certified Appraiser from the
by the pool became a way of life in these areas. Asheford Institute of Antiques, who holds degrees in both History and
Some of the more notable companies making outdoor furniture during the Library Sciences from the University of North Carolina. She has
mid-century were Salterini, O.W. Lee, Brown Jordan, and Ames Aire. Prices been in the antiques business for over 25 years, and is co-owner of
vary widely on outdoor furniture and many sellers do not realize what a treasure Parker & Haigh Estate Sales and Liquidations.
The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. Do you have questions about something you have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to
editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming
a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com or contact the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508.
RESTORATION
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
44
Asheford Institute of Antiques
www.asheford.com
APPRAISERS CORNER A Commitment to Excellence Since 1966
Certified Appraisal Training
Hello! they have, so prices can be low. Ames Aire
of Minnesota (of all places!) made light-
I stumbled across your Journal in a search weight outdoor furniture in a variety of
for more information about four chairs I got colors, including white, turquoise,
today. This is a pretty rough before photo, yellow, orange, and lilac, among others.
and I have since spent time and elbow grease Table tops were made from “ripple mist”
cleaning them up today. glass. The hallmark of Ames Aire
Could you help me to identify them? From furniture was their zinc-coated tubular
my research they look Amis Aire. I found a framework and strong vinyl cording. This
larger set photo that seems a perfect match. zinc coating allowed the furniture to
But the smaller set I haven’t been able to find. better withstand the elements.
Thank you! From the photo, you appear to have
-Bonnie in Wilmington, NC four white Ames Aire chairs in very good
condition. The framework looks good
Dear Bonnie, with no bends or breaks, and the vinyl
cording appears to be intact in all four
How nice to hear from someone from chairs. It’s difficult to tell from the one
North Carolina! photo the size of the chairs, but if two are
Thank you for submitting the photo smaller than the others, I don’t think it
of the four patio chairs you recently would make much difference in the value,
found. I think you have stumbled upon a as these chairs in good condition are very
real treasure. rare to find.
Generally speaking, outdoor furniture Currently, outdoor furniture is a “hot”
is not well documented due to its short market item! I have seen these chairs
“shelf life.” Because of its exposure to the offered in a wide range of prices, from
elements—sun, wind, rain, and snow—outdoor furniture was replaced every $175 for one chair to $2,000 for a set of four in turquoise. Due to their rarity
few years. As it aged, labels denoting makers have fallen off, so mis-identifica- and condition, I would estimate this set of Ames Aire chairs to be between
tion is commonplace. $1,350 and $1,850.
Against all odds, however, some outdoor furniture has withstood the I hope you paid much less than this! I also think they would make perfect
elements and collectors began to take note of different manufacturers whose seating to watch Wilmington’s wonderful Azalea Festival! Enjoy them, but
styles were especially appealing. Collectors began taking better care of outdoor please hose them down periodically as the salt air can have a corrosive effect.
furniture by storing them in basements or sheds during the “off” season, which
helped to preserve some of the more popular styles. Best,
As you might expect, outdoor furniture was most popular in areas of mild Walker
climates, such as Southern California, Arizona, and Florida, where it could be
used on a year-round basis. In the mid-1950s and 60s, outdoor entertaining Walker Haigh is an Honors Graduate and Certified Appraiser from the
by the pool became a way of life in these areas. Asheford Institute of Antiques, who holds degrees in both History and
Some of the more notable companies making outdoor furniture during the Library Sciences from the University of North Carolina. She has
mid-century were Salterini, O.W. Lee, Brown Jordan, and Ames Aire. Prices been in the antiques business for over 25 years, and is co-owner of
vary widely on outdoor furniture and many sellers do not realize what a treasure Parker & Haigh Estate Sales and Liquidations.
The Journal of Antiques & Collectibles and Asheford Institute of Antiques have teamed up to provide our readers with professional appraisers to help you learn more
about and value your finds. Do you have questions about something you have acquired? We welcome your questions and photos. Send your information to
editorial@journalofantiques.com or mail to Journal of Antiques & Collectibles, PO Box 950, Sturbridge, MA 01566 attn: Appraisers Corner. To learn more about becoming
a “certified” antiques appraiser, visit www.asheford.com or contact the Admissions Office toll free at 877-444-4508.
RESTORATION
Journal of Antiques and Collectibles
44
