[Woodcarver] cleaning wood pieces...

[sally nye]

Thank you all so much for your replies.  I realize how fragile and 
valuable this box is, especially because David's grandfather did it.  
It is for that reason the box has set on the shelf all this time.  I'm 
in fear of damaging it.  A few pieces are missing totally but I have 
some that have fallen off.  Those can be glued back on but I'm not sure 
about trying to replace the others.  That could ruin the box.

David's grandfather was a woodworker.  He was blinded while in his 20's 
but had 6 children to feed.  He continued to be a woodworker and lived 
into his 90's.  A very loving, giving, kind and gentle person (like 
David) who never complained or spoke an unkind word.  We don't know 
when he made the Tramp Art box but you can see why it is so meaningful 
to us.
Thanks
Sally
http://www.fancarversworld.com

On Dec 31, 2004, at 6:42 PM, Classic Carving Patterns wrote:

Happy New Years Sally and everyone on the list.

I would suggest that you first check with a reputable antiques dealer
before you do any cleaning on the tramp art box.  Because this is an
artwork piece from the Depression era, circa 1920's through 1930's, it
may need to remain in it's current condition to retain it's value
(Antiques Road Show TV).  Many times people inadvertently destroy much
of the value of an antique by either scrubbing away the years of dirt
... Which the antique dealers refer to as patina ... in an attempt to
restore the work to how it originally looked.  All that dirt, all those
years of oil build up are part of the antique at this date in it's life.

Tramp art can bring a very high value as each is so unique in it's
creation. That you know it was done by his father and perhaps can
document that can also add more value to it's worth. Plus it is one of
the few truly American art forms ... I don't believe that it has a bases
from any art form that was brought into the US by our immigrant
forefathers ... And foremothers!  So, please talk with an antique's
dealer first before you accidentally wash away several dollars worth of
value.

Happy New Years, Susan Irish

Oh, for the Captains Chairs, if they are not antiques, Murphy's Oil Soap
and a bunch of elbow grease is fantastic.

Carving Patterns Online
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Classic Carving Patterns By L.S.Irish
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