Anyone researching a piece of older furniture they have or are thinking of purchasing will find this book extremely helpful. In addition to good coverage of 'period' furniture of the 17th, 18th and early 19th centuries, more photos and listings are provided covering later 19th century furniture and 20th century furniture popular from the 1920s through the 1960s. Special features include an introductory feature on collecting furniture, a furniture-dating chart and an illustrated section on American furniture terms. It also includes a bibliography and appendix on auction services and an illustrated section on stylistic guidelines for American and English furniture.