newt
 Senior Boarder
Posts: 47 
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Hi Folks,
I've just started collecting bookends and have a few questions about cleaning, repairs, and so on. I'd really appreciate help on this. I looked for a FAQ for a few days, and there doesn't seem to be one.
* Most of the pieces I have so far are various forms of metal (bronze, brass, a variety of unknown - at least to me - compounds of various sorts. I know that I can clean them with a gentle dish washing soap in warm water; does it diminish the value to clean them with something like BRASSO? (I know that this kind of things is death to coins...)
* Is it acceptable to repaste felt on a piece's base to protect my tables?
* Is it acceptable to ADD felt or rubber feet to protect furniture?
* Finally, I'd really appreciate a reference to books that would answer these questions in detail.
Thanks for your help,
Scot Kamins
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rbuning
 Junior Boarder
Posts: 36
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Old brass, bronze, etc. pieces of metals that would discolor rapidly were commonly laquered, and the age patina is often the darkening of the laquer, as well as reactions with skin oils, etc. Even if they weren't, the natural patina is now a part of the piece, evidence of its age and experience, and I think you would be disappointed if you saw them all polished up. Even if you can get every bit of the laquer off, you will still find it difficult not to leave it unevenly polished. If the original felt is gone or so deteriorated that it's falling completely apart, I see nothing wrong with discretely applying new felt with a readily removable adhesive, although if you're interested in value and the original felt is at all viable, I'd leave it alone. I care for this sort of thing in exactly the way it was cared for through its life, dusting, and gentle washing if it's grubby.
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Man In The Moon
 Senior Boarder
Posts: 46
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Hello,
There is at least one book on the market that deals with bookends. I think it is simply titled Bookends. If you need the title and publisher, please e-mail
our library.
Happy collecting!
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mints
Senior Boarder
Posts: 44
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It's probably: 'Collector's Guide to Bookends, Identification and Values', by Louis Kuritzky, published by Collector Books, ISBN 1 574320068, US$ 19.95...240 pages, paperback, 8 1/2 by 11...........at libraries, bookshops, and numerous places on the web including, among many other book sites, Amazon.............http://www.amazon.com
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