Collectibles-General (Antiques)/desk chair

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Expert: - 10/24/2008


Question

desk chair
I rescued an old desk chair from a damp place several years ago.It had about four layers of white paint on it.I refinished it,and gave it a couple of coats of tung oil.I have never really used it for seating because of the separated seams on the seat.Worried it would not be solid enough.What would be the best way to repair the seams so that it would be solid enough to use.It has a brass tag that says"H-KRUG KITCHNER" and another tag marked "FRASIER BROTHERS OFFICE FURNITURE SUPPLIES 750 VICTORIA SQUARE MONTREAL"The glass feet are very nice and the spring back works like new.Also can you tell me anything about this chair?How old would it be?Thanks in advance  Dan

Answer
Hi Dan
Nice to hear from you.
Good job on the paint removal.
Nice oak chair too.
The very best way to repair this seat is to take the top section off the base, remove the back, then glue and clamp the seat back together.
I note the seat has what I call a tongue and groove where the sections join so it does not lend itself to using a biscuit joined repair.
But this tiny tongue and groove is surprising strong and likely only split due to the conditions it was kept in.
I suspect the join has not fully broken as yet so it could be tricky getting the sections apart.
The only way I know of is to heat the glue so it softens which makes taking the sections apart easy.
There are various ways to heat the glue but I am a creature of habit and always used hot vinegar.
I get a pot of good hot vinegar and several old rags.
Keep dipping and applying the rags to the split.
This may take upwards of 20 minutes of dipping and applying to melt the glue but don't use force or you could damage the tongue.
This method works on hide glue or any other wood glue so you don't have to worry about trying to ID the glue.
Then of course clean the joint well and let dry overnight before gluing.
So thats the best way.
Second option if the seat has not completely seperated is to use the chair till someone crashes on the floor LOL.
Dan I just can't recommend one of those "screw a board to the bottom fixes". Not the thing to do at all.
I found this online about the the founder of Krug furniture.
It was started in 1880 apparently.

"Hartman Krug, born in New Dundee, a son of Henry Krug who came to Canada in 1848, first established the famous Krug reputation as manufacturers of fine furniture.

He became an expert carpenter and joiner (cabinet maker) in New Dundee, and came to Berlin in the late 1870s. With great ability, zeal and energy, he started his career as a furniture manufacturer dedicated to quality and established a pioneer industry that became a leader in its field.

In the 1880s he founded the H. Krug Furniture Company and built the first section of the plant which eventually occupied two city blocks. In 1916 he purchased a Doon twine and cordage company which was moved to Kitchener and named Doon Twines Limited.

At his death in 1933, three of Krug's sons were executive officers of his companies and, like their father, were active in community affairs, supporting many worthy civic projects."

I also found this for you about Frasier Furniture.

"Back in 1880 on St. James Street in Old Montreal, Fraser Bros. Ltd. was a small company of general auctioneers and appraisers handling goods as diverse as real estate, machinery and livestock. The concept broadened over the years to include the retailing of used and antique furniture and house auctions of many of Montreal’s old and prestigious estate homes. In 1948, after WWII, Robert became president; he was joined five years later by his son, Ian.
A graduate of the Royal Military College and both McGill and Harvard, Ian proved to be the driving force in the firm’s growth and development. He introduced the idea of selling new furniture on a retail basis, a concept that attracted many new customers to Fraser’s door. Ian became one of the first to travel extensively in Europe and the United States in search of new sources of quality furniture, antique reproductions produced by traditional craftsmen. Under his stewardship, Fraser’s came to be recognized as Montreal’s most distinguished furniture retailer. It was the dawn of a new era."

So its plain that Krug was the maker and Frasier was the seller.
Now if you read the above carefully you will note Fraser never started selling new furniture until 1948.
But he obviuosly sold this chair.
So it obviously was sold as a used chair before that because this chair was made before 1948.
I suspect that the glass feet indicate an earlier chair from around the turn of the century...only suspect LOL.
Hope this helps
Regards
Eileen  
    Questioner's Rating
    Rating(1-10)Knowledgeability = 10Clarity of Response = 10Politeness = 10
    CommentI got a much better answer than I could have hoped for.Excellent!Very much appreciated.


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Eileen Cronk

Expertise

I can answer most questions about the repairing and refinishing of all your old furniture items (the things we call antiques). I can also give you advice on what wood items to choose and what wood items to avoid at auctions, flea markets etc. I DO NOT give appraisals on antiques as this is not my field of expertise.

Experience

I have been repairing, refinishing and of course buying old furniture for the past 30 years. On any given weekend I can be found at auction sales or flea markets searching out a good buy. I have taken several courses in this area over the years, but I find "Hands On" learning to be the best teacher. I can help you avoid the pitfalls and problems of this wonderful rewarding craft.

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