This volume serves as a comprehensive identification and valuation reference for American antiques and decorative arts. The authors, drawing upon the extensive archival and appraisal expertise of the Sotheby's auction house, provide a structured framework for identifying period-specific characteristics, craftsmanship techniques, and stylistic markers across various categories of American material culture.

Experts and collectors frequently cite this work as a foundational reference for identifying the provenance and stylistic era of American antiques. Readers often note the technical density of the descriptions, which prioritize precise terminology over general historical narrative.