Can anyone tell me about this dresser? The first picture has a sticker in drawer that says Berkey & Gay.
Your dresser has two labels: Berkey & Gay and Grand Rapids Made.
The triangle trademark with the lettering "G. R. M." was used by members of the Furniture Manufacturers Association of Grand Rapids to identify true "Grand Rapids Made" furniture and to differentiate it from imposters.
It was announced: "This trade mark will protect dealers who handle Grand Rapids product against competition from inferior furniture sold under Grand Rapids name and reputation." "It is the purpose of this association to advertise this trade mark extensively in the public press, but under no circumstances will the names of the individual manufacturers appear in such advertisements." "The members of this association agree to sell through the retail dealer only."
The triangle trademark was used between 1899 and 1913.
So, you have 5-drawer bureau/highboy dresser/chest of drawers with a tilt beveled mirror, made by the renowned Berkey & Gay furniture company of Grand Rapids in 1899-1913.
Antique Berkey & Gay Dresser With Mirror but with 6 drawers, original finish with age-appropriate wear, but in generally very good condition, was sold for $195 picclick.com/
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Can anyone tell me about this dresser please.
This chest is fairly similar to yours and it sold for $90 @ auction:
www.soundauctionservice.com/
These are often referred to as a dressing table with a raised gallery (the two trinket drawers). It is a masculine looking piece so it was probably the gentleman's piece and the lady of the house may have had a matching vanity.
I believe it to be missing the drawers for the top two slots as (and maybe I have just never seen one that just had slots), the gallery part is typically drawers.
Is there a place on the back for a mirror? They usually also typically came with a mirror. A man's mirror was often a stationary mirror--maybe a swivel, but probably just a single stationary piece.
Are the keyholes real or decorative and if real, do you have the key and do they work? Do the locks have any info on them (either on the keyhole or the internal lock mechanism?
As to age, this style looks to be a 1950s piece--but I would have to look at the construction--like what do the connectors in the drawers look like (dovetail or nails or screws or pegs).
What is the back--real wood or particle board (which could make it a newer "repro piece"?
Are you asking to sell or just for more info?
I pulled this off my brother's junk wagon a while back. I found the name plate in the drawer and started searching. I have yet to find one just like it so I don't really know what year it is from. I have found some like it but not enough to say it was from the same time.
I know it's an American of Martinsville. Possibly a piece from a hi end hotel line they did? Anyway, any info would be appreciated! Thanks
You have a cabinet/media credenza from a high-end hotel. Probably purchase several years ago from a hotel auction/sale such as this:
www.hclsales.com/
I have been to several of these sales and usually, items like this will sell for $50 or less. Yours is an older model that holds the TV on the right side and has drawers for clothing on the left side.
Information:
"American of Martinsville
In 1906, the American Furniture Company was founded by two Martinsville tobacco men, Ancil Witten and Charles Keesee. With 12 other local business leaders, these men raised an original capitalization of $30,000. The company has grown substantially and first surpassed $100 million in sales in 1989. Today, the company specializes in producing furniture for the hotel and healthcare industries and operates under the name American of Martinsville. Open a dresser drawer the next time you stay in a hotel and, chances are, you'll see an American of Martinsville logo".
Your cabinet may be from the 90s to 2010 since we were still using CRT TV sets that would fit in this style cabinet through 2010.
Can anyone give me advice on this dresser, how old and make? Don't know anything about it. Thank you.
This piece appears to be a vintage/antique buffet hutch sideboard.
These pieces were called different names according to where they were used.
www.txantiquemall.com/
rileysrealwood.com/
"How do you identify an antique sideboard?
For unique identifying marks, look under the sideboard or on the back. In those early days, it was common for dates and company names to be engraved, inked, etched or burned in those sections. Once you know the dates, cities, and company names, you will be able to know the era when the sideboard was made."
Since you give no reason for wanting this information, most members will assume you're asking about value.
No one can safely advise the value of a 'unique' item unless they have professional knowledge in this particular field.
You can look at all the similar pieces listed for sale online such as on eBay and Google and this will provide ideas of what is being offered, but none of the listings will provide value information for your hutch. These listings will show prices that a seller is wanting for their pieces but does not show any real value until that piece is sold. The only value in an item listed for sale is to the seller, and that is $0 except to the seller.
www.ebay.com/
www.google.com/
I have been unable to find any of this style that has sold so I cannot even offer a similar sold piece other than some pieces that sold for a lot less than any of these asking prices. You can check out sold listings on eBay.
As a general rule, pieces with a brand name will be more valuable unless the piece has very distinctive features that an appraiser can detect. You may be able to find marks or numbers somewhere on your piece.
The final value may also depend on where your item is located, as these are very heavy and usually are listed for sale as 'local pick up only'. Some areas would not pay $50 for this, while other areas may like large pieces and would pay more.
It looks like the bottom back has been replaced and that is not a good sign as most of the time it indicates there was water damage.
You can always join some forums and ask your questions but you will need several very good pictures - full front, sides, back, and inside of the cabinet.
Here are some links that are sometimes helpful with antiques. Check out some listings to see what type of pictures you need.
www.antiquers.com/
www.antique-shop.com/
www.thefedoralounge.com/
You can also ask for a free appraisal but only if you provide good pictures.
www.whatsellsbest.com/
