The mellow tones of antique natural oak have become popular accents in a growing number of households in America today. Furniture made over the last hundred years in dense oak, which holds the crisp edges of fine carving detail and displays strong designs have come to be appreciated by the descendants of their first owners. This first generation of mass-produced American furniture which utilized the ingenuity of the machine age for its construction, and the inspiration of catalog marketing for its distribution, has now come to be appreciated for its special forms and solid materials. Its recent popularity has caused the values for oak furniture to rise significantly. With hundreds of examples shown in color photographs the book is arranged by types of furniture from armoires to tables. Hundreds of chairs are shown to display the great variety of styles that were made. Famous makers such as Larkin, Stickley, and more are well represented. This new study is a welcome addition to the literature of American antiques. A newly updated price guide is included.

Nancy N. Schiffer is an art historian whose interest in jewelry has evolved from studies of porcelain and decorative arts. She has written other books on jewelry and various fields of popular culture. She lives in Pennsylvania.