Care and Repair of Everyday Treasures: A Step-By-Step Guide to Cleaning and Restoring Your Antiques and Collectibles

Rating:
Summary: KUDOS AND CAVEATS
Review: I bought this book when I needed information on BASIC care of my antiques of all sorts, including reviving leather on furniture and gilding on pictures, as well as polishing etc. To a small extent I got that. But most of the techniques in this book --most notably in the section on upholstery -- while clear, leave a dangerous impression of ease. For almost any of them, you need a degree of skill that would make much of the advice unnecessary. Don't try upholstering anything from this book or you'll have a dead sofa! Theory is only a small part of handcraft. Even hand's on basic courses aren't enough. incidentally, if you want to clean gilt,say, forget it, though Miller tells you how to regild. NOT a basic care manual, in fact!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent in-depth coverage of the topic
Review: If you're someone faced with antique for the first time (like I was), this is exactly what you need. The book addresses all the repairs I'll have to do on my furniture and silverware, lists all the necessary material and tools as well as documents the procedures you have to follow. Highly recommended.