The Process

When you bring a 15 1/2' long breakfront to a show, you hear this question a lot: "How did you get that in here?" The video below should give a little insight into that process. It will also show the amount of work that goes into setting up one booth at an antique show. At a show like the Philadelphia Antiques and Art Show last week, this process is replicated 59 times across the floor as each dealer prepares their space for the public. Even before this can happen, carpenters work to build the plywood walls and electricians must run power. In the case of Philadelphia, which takes place on the Marine Parade Grounds in the Navy Yard, a floor is laid and a hard-frame tent is constructed. The work involved for our booth took place over the course of 48 hours and is compressed into this 14-second video.

Returning to the bookcase, it really is an attention-getter and not just because of the great size. Almost as impressive is the fact that all the primary wood is yew and nearly all of that is burl yew. The cabinet doors are veneered in strips that are beautifully figured and reminiscent of the veining in a great piece of marble. All the astragals and other moldings are fashioned out of solid yew. The only other yew wood breakfront we've ever seen sold at Christie's Simon Sainsbury sale in London a few years ago.