I saw the same show or one very much like it. The chest in question was a
Queen Anne Highboy that was manufactured in New England and was from a very
collectable period. The purists want them to be "in the black" and pay
outrageous $$$ for original pieces. The manufacturer put a black
preservative on the wood similar to a paint.
As for Brad's LL wheel. It is a rare piece because of the slots instead of
the holes... Restoring it would only add to its value, not detract. I've had
a few LL wheels and the better they look, the more valuable they are.
BTW, in the mid 60s they sold new for $110.
Kent
Subject: Re: Restoring Vs Value (LONG)
> Brad,
>
> Just watch Antiques Roadshow sometime. I have seen pieces of furniture
that un
> "refinished" that would go for $100,000 but after Frank's meddling would
only be worth
> $10,000. This is commonplace with antique furniture but whether the same
goes for a
> steering wheel, I don't know. Stripping off the old, black, gunky Shellac
is not the way
> to value. If it is just for you and ascetics, do what you want but you
could be removing a
> significant portion of the value.
>
> Andy
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