On January 24, 2000 Gene Landon was the keynote speaker at the first meeting of the Society of American Period Furniture Makers. The meeting was held at Williamsburg and Harold Ionson received the first Cartouche Award.
As president of the SAPFM, I had the honor of introducing Gene.
REMARKS INTRODUCING GENE LANDON:
? In 1980, Rick Mastelli wrote an article for Fine Woodworking entitled ?In Search of Period Furniture Makers ? What they do about what the ?old guys? did.? Of the six superb craftsmen interviewed, three are here tonight. One was Mack Headley, who we will hear from during the conference, one was Harold Ionson, and one was Eugene Landon; tonight?s featured speaker.
? For the Society of American Period Furniture Makers to get off the ground, Mickey (Callahan) and I knew we needed some credibility. We needed a period furniture maker with impeccable credentials and an outstanding national reputation who was willing to take a leap of faith and join and assist us in the formation of our new group. We did not have to look long or far. After learning that we had legitimate aspirations, Gene called me last summer and agreed to come on board.
? I had the opportunity of visiting with Gene last month at the ?Mecca in Montoursville.? I knew of Gene by reputation and had seen his work in the many articles he had written or in which he was featured, but I was unprepared for the culture shock I received upon entering his home and shop. It is the period furniture maker?s mother lode. He not only furnished his home with a prodigious amount of exquisitely accurate reproductions; copies of pieces he has restored or had examined and knew inside out, he also built the house; and constructed all the architectural details. Aside from being a master cabinetmaker, dedicated to the way of the old guys, Gene is also a clock maker, a collector, a history buff, and a respected consultant to leading museum curators, and other collectors and antique dealers.
? Many of you here tonight are Gene?s dedicated students and are familiar with his gentle musings and enthusiasm for the craft.
I have the distinct honor and take great pleasure in introducing Gene Landon.
Comments following Gene Landon?s presentation:
? Thank you Gene. When I was leaving Gene?s shop, being the skeptic that I am, I said ?OK Gene, where is your cordless drill? Without missing a beat, Gene said ?Right here.? And opened a drawer and showed me a collection of 18th century hand braces. Amazing! Gene?s family goes back about three centuries in this country. I think that if we outfitted him correctly and put him back into 1750 Philadelphia, he would not miss a beat.
I will miss him.
Steve Lash