I am looking for information on the year and type of wood on this Mersman 8 legged table. I am looking to refinish it or is it better to leave it as is?
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I would leave the table the way it is. I would say it is worth in the $125 range.
What makes Mersman VALUABLE is leaving the finishes ALONE! GREAT example is the end tables they made and I don't care to flip my table over at the moment but if someone were just finding a cheap find at Goodwill or somewhere like that, these tables would seem unimportant yet in my experience, those are ALWAYS the places the ultimate Mersman gems can be found. But...the end table I'm speaking of has almost a plastic type finish on it and definitely more than half of people that don't know better try to sand that off only to find out you're going to just be left with a sad, destroyed Mersman...makes me very sad.
I don't see a photo of the logo, but I am assuming it is the etched triangle with a number. I am not able to pin down the exact year--because I have found references to these from the mid 1960s to the early 1970s.
They had a really early version of the octagon table that is quite valuable (worth in the mid $500s if pristine)...but appears to be a "newer" one.
The values for this piece are all over the place--I have seen them sell for as low as $10 or as high $300 if pristine, but most are on the low end of the spectrum and I have seen the ones asking over $100 sit unsold for months on end.
Mersman is great furniture. Solid and will last a life time.
It is also "mass produced" furniture so you painting or refinishing is not going to damage a "priceless" antique. I don't think anyone will ever retired off of a piece of Mersman furniture because they made so many that there is always another "like" table up for sale and that there are many drives prices down. Values are supply and demand so a high supply of something a low or even moderate demand, keeps prices lower.
My vote is enjoy it and do with it what you want!! It was well built and will last!!
Post back if you redo it!
Blessings!!
I love octagon tables.
My mother had one similar to yours but it was from the 1930's and it was beautiful. Not sure of the brand but my brother has it now and the recently appraised insurance value was $5,500 (not retail) but he was recently offered several thousand dollars for it. This table was/is originally black and it is still gorgeous so I would say it has to be the real deal to be valued in the thousands.
As to the date your table was made; no one seems to have any idea about dating Mersman furniture and that is why you see pieces listed as 'mid century'. Only someone with personal knowledge can really date their items but if we can see the label we can give a better idea of what years it could have been made.
It seems that most of these tables were walnut but you would need someone to look at your table to tell you more.
Some say this table is a copy of the Jacobean Revival style (popular in the 1920s-1930s) but I do not think your table is ornate enough for that and Mersman did not seem to actually 'copy' from others but just made furniture in whatever was the 'present' style.
We really cannot tell about the condition of your table but if you plan to sell your table then - my opinion - would be to look it over good and if you can clean and polish it to improve the finish then that may be a good idea.
Makeover pieces do sell - especially on Etsy but these pieces are usually beautifully done and most of the sellers arrange shipping which is a plus because most sellers do not ship - local pick up only.
What do you think someone in your area (30 mile radius) would pay for this table? As is - or refinished. Some areas would go for this table and pay a few hundred but other areas it may just be an old wood table to them and they want something new from the store (pay with a credit card).
A brand name rarely means the same thing to different people so a good sale has to be to someone that is looking for a certain style and knows the quality of the name Mersman. There may not be very many of that nature that will see your table as some sellers leave their items listed for sale for months/years and may never sell.
Here is a beautiful table similar to yours but more ornate that has been posted for sale - $499 - for almost a year and has not sold. This is eBay so you can place a watch on this one to see if it sells.
www.ebay.com/
This similar table has not sold and the condition is good and the price seems reasonable - $170. maybe the location? Probably just too many available tables for more reasonable prices?
Many times people will look for the style table they're wanting long before they look at the brand name.
If you plan to sell, I would suggest you clean up your table and take about 10 good pictures and start your price high - $500 - with all offers considered and pick up only. Leave it posted at least 6 months and if no offers then lower the price and wait again.
Try other sites like Facebook Marketplace or OfferUp instead of eBay.
here is an interesting 'makeover' - will it sell? maybe faster than an original one.
www.chairish.com/
This is an interesting article about a Mersman table:
www.myantiquefurniturecollection.../
Mersman highly popular furniture, depending on where you are located, this piece priced in the $100's, and as far as refinishing contact a professional for products that do not devalue the piece. There are a few online services that can give you a better value /appraisal . https://www.justanswer.com - also there are a few for sale and there asking prices online. - www.ebay.com/
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