By George C. Neumann
349 pages, softcover: $19.95
Reviewed by Ed Kennedy
A softcover reprint of the 1984 hardcover, which is now out of print, this book will have a familiar look to anyone who had read Neumann's and Kravic's Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. It is photograph-oriented with 1,800 items shown in over 1,500 photographs. Nearly every item has both the date during which it was prevalent and a size reference.
In explaining the title, the author defines "country furnishings" as the things found in the homes of "...the great bulk of the citizenry...neither the starving poor nor the merchant princes." His use of the term "early American" is further defined as referring to the period 1650 to 1800. Geographically, he has stayed within the northeast, but the amount of overlap into the rest of the country is considerable.
While apparently written for the antique collector, there is a wealth of information for the reenactor. Although anyone can learn from this book, it is probably most useful to the person who has his basic kit together and is now expanding and improving by carefully researching the "most correct example."
The book is organized into three interior volumes: "Furniture," "Cooking and Eating," and "Personal Care and Indulgences." It is further broken down into twenty-two categories such as wooden ware and pewter tableware.
Perhaps two illustrations of how this book can be of great use to the reenactor are in order. In the section "Cooking and Eating," there are no fewer than 50 pots, kettles, skillets and so forth illustrated. A careful study of these should make clear most of the style differences between the 18th century examples and the late 19th century types often seen in 18th century reenactors' camps.
In many 18th century camps, the most common chests/boxes used for carrying gear are made with pine with an oil finish, no decoration and shiny hinges and hasps from the local hardware store. A study of the section on furniture shows a wealth of chests, trunks and boxes in a variety of sizes with finishes that are painted, oilcloth covered, covered with painted canvas and so on. This is where a little study and reworking could turn a plain pine box into a copy of a true period piece.
For those of you who fill out your kit with originals, a price guide is included. I have compared them, and they seem quite accurate. In some cases these prices will only convince you that a reproduction is more feasible. Almost every time I went through the original hard cover, I found something that I then set out to build, that I could find in a catalog of reproductions or that sent me to the antique shops.
The other group who should find this book invaluable are those who commercially reproduce replicas. The possible variations are great.
I found this book in the latest James Townsend catalog, but I am sure that it will soon be showing up in several others. It belongs on your bookshelf right alongside the Collector's Illustrated Encyclopedia of the American Revolution. L-W Book Sales, Box 69, Gas City, IN 46933.
@ 2007 ScurlockPublishing Co., Inc. All rights reserved.