As seen in The Antique Shoppe Newspaper, June 2009

Q. Dear Sir - I wonder if you would be able to help me in the following situation. I am trying to determine the period, maker and possibly general value of a mahogany four poster bed. According to a family story, the bed once belonged to a former Georgia governor, Herschel V. Johnson, in office from 1853-1857. I am led to understand that the bed was used prior to and during his tenure in office. The governor did not die until 1880 however and the bed might date from a later period.

Enclosed you will find photographs of the bed in question. It is 82in long and 56in wide. Thank you. WAJ

A. Thank you for your letter and the accompanying photos of the bed. The acanthus carvings are very good and the form is pure Federal, dating from the early 1800's although most Federal tall posts featured the fertility symbol of the carved rice stalk motif and Sheraton reeding or fluting. The acanthus carving is more associated with later Empire pieces.

The family story about the bed belonging to Gov. Johnson of Georgia is certainly colorful but it is indicative of what happens in many family histories. A generation gets added here, an embellishment there and before you know it history has been rewritten. Since the Governor died in 1880 it is unlikely that he ever used this bed. The attaching hardware on the side rails is the primary clue that this is a factory made Colonial Revival bed, made around or after the turn of the 20th century, most likely in the 1920's. The stamped metal hooks engaging pins inserted in the headboard and footboard is an arrangement that did not show up until very late in the 19th century and then usually as only one hook instead of the two shown in your photograph which are more commonly found in the 20th century. While it is true that the side rails or attaching hardware could have been replaced in the past, the headboard shows no trace of any other system such as a bolt that would have been employed on a period bed.

The round wire nails that attach the inside rail and the end block to the side rail are another clue. The round headed wire nail was not developed until the 1880's. There are several other clues indicating 20th century vintage that I can surmise but can't quite make out from the photos.

Without some factory markings or a label it is impossible to determine who actually manufactured the bed. For an idea of value your best bet is to check with a local dealer. 

Q. Help! I think I've been invaded. About a year ago I bought an old  lamp table at a garage sale in northeast Ohio. I refinished it and everything has been fine until about a month ago when I noticed small piles of what look like fine sawdust under the table. I moved the table to another part of the room and the next day there were more piles under it in the new location. I found some small holes in the underside of the table where it looks like something has bored into it. I sprayed under the table with Raid but that didn't work. I even wrapped it in plastic and sprayed Raid under the covering and it still didn't work but it did make a mess on the table.  I have more piles. Now what? Beth Ann W., Wheeling, WV.

A. Beth Ann, the holes you saw under the table aren't entry wounds, they are exit holes. The exit holes are quite small in diameter, usually only 1/32 in. If you had said you found the table in the South and the piles of dust were granular like salt, I would suggest you have a case of drywood termites. But since the piles are like fine sawdust and you acquired the table in Ohio I think you have an infestation of  the lyctid powderpost beetle. And since you have only had the table for a year it is likely that the infestation was already in the table when you bought it. Adult beetles lay their eggs in cracks and crevices in hardwood where they lay dormant for one to two years. At that time they hatch, dig their out and go looking for more hardwood to start the cycle over again.

You don't have to worry much about your house since most structural material is softwood but you do need to be concerned about other furniture, like upholstered pieces which probably have kiln dried hardwood frames. Hardwood floors such as oak may also be at risk although the beetles can't get into wood that is completely finished with a surface coating.

You didn't kill the bugs when you sprayed because they were deep inside the wood. Not even the vapor from the Raid can penetrate deep enough. Gene Wengert, Professor Emeritus, University of Wisconsin - Madison and former researcher for the U.S. Forest Products Lab says high temperature in the range of 130 degrees for a day can kill them (but its hard on your furniture). He suggests that the only way to positively get rid of the little pests is to have the affected pieces professionally fumigated by a licensed pest control expert. Just keep your eyes open around the house for the next few years to spot any second generation infestations.

**NOTE: ANTIQUE SHOPPE NEWSPAPER DOES NOT SELL ANTIQUES OF ANY SORT. WE ARE STRICTLY A PUBLISHING COMPANY AND PRINT ARTICLES ON VARIOUS ANTIQUES**

Visit Fred's website at www.furnituredetective.com.  Fred's book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available for $18.95 plus $2.00 S & H. Send check or money order for $20.95 to Fred Taylor, PO Box 215, Crystal River, FL 34423.

            Fred and Gail Taylor's video, "IDENTIFICATION OF OLDER & ANTIQUE FURNITURE", ($29.95 includes S & H) is also available at the same address. For more information call (800) 387-6377, fax (352) 563-2916, or e-mail fmtaylor@aol.com.