From the Sack Volumes

New Era In American Antiques

Brochure #6, January, 1960

“The first 50 years in collecting of Americana was the era of discovery – the formation of museum and private collections – the recognition of regional characteristics. The vast amount of significant creative forms that emerged proved the scope and importance of American antiques.

“We have entered into the second era, the era of re-evaluation. Enough material is available to keep museum staffs and students busy classifying labeled examples, important regional groups and characteristics of regional craftsmen.

“But the most important recognition taking place is the definition of a unique American theme, so important that no study of the history of decorative arts is complete without it. This theme is the perfection of form, proportion and integration in American furniture. In English and Continental period furniture, the form is supplementary – a medium for the ornamental expression. Only in American furniture is the form paramount – the ornamentation supplementary. Therefore, the most successful American pieces are not necessarily the most elaborate, but those which most successfully define the American character.

“Israel Sack always approached American antiques from this standpoint. When asked how he recognized an American from an English counterpart, he’d say: ‘That’s easy, by its accent.’ Many of the relatively simple pieces he sold to museums and private collections have risen many times in value as the American theme merged (sic). We, his sons, use this theme as a basis in our selection and are not impressed by an ornamented piece if, in our judgment, it is unsuccessful in form or artisanship.”

Pictured:
No. 306 Queen Anne mahogany tea table with candle slides, superb design and craftsmanship. The top, including the raised tray and noticed corners, is carved from one solid piece of mahogany. Original throughout with fine color. Descended in the Gardner family, Rhode Island, c. 1740 - 60. A choice specimen of one of the most sought after forms in American furniture.

Ht. 28 1/2" Wd. 28 3/4" Dp. 18 1/2"

AMERICAN ANTIQUES from Highland House Publishers

The Israel Sack Collection

American Antiques from Israel Sack Collection consists of a set of 10 volumes, comprising the offerings of that firm from 1957 to 1990. The contents consist of over 5,000 items of Americana offered by Israel Sack, Inc. the Volumes were conceived and produced by Joseph Hennage, a discriminating collector of Americana, publisher, and friend of the Sack brothers. The collection he formed has been donated to Colonial Williamsburg, as well as the home in which it is housed. Mr. and Mrs. Hennage convinced the Sack brothers that the treasures of Americana that passed through their hands should be recorded to provide a panorama of the superb and magnificent creations of our native craftsmen.

The Volumes have become an important part of the scholarship in the field. The Volumes contain introductions to each chapter, many of which contain messages, principles and philosophy on collections, values and concepts that bear repeating.

In that vein, we have selected a number of articles contained in these Volumes and will present those which we feel will be useful to collectors and scholars.

In Volume X, we published a section entitled “The Best of Wendell Garret” With his permission, we will offer articles from this group which can supplement the articles he has already generously provided for this site.

From the Sack Volumes

From the Sack Volumes - Volume V - Brochure #26

From the Sack Volumes – Volume IV – Introduction to Volumn IV

From the Sack volume –Volume III – Brochure #13 – November, 1970

The Subject of Attributions

The White House American Room

Subtle Rarities