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About Fred Taylor
Expertise
I will attempt to answer questions about American antique furniture, including construction details, style, period, manufacturers, care, repair and storage. I do not have any background in appliances, musical instruments, sewing machines, lighting and clocks and will not respond to quesions about those items.
Experience
I ran an antique furniture restoration business for twenty years. I am a nationally syndicated columnist on the subject of antique furniture for such publications as Antique Week and New England Antiques Journal. I have produced one video on the subject of furniture identification and my book "HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE" is now available.I have also published articles in Antique Trader, Chicago Art Deco Society, Northeast Magazine, Victorian Decorating and Lifestyles, Professional Refinishing, Antiques and Art Around Florida and Antique Shoppe. You can visit my website at www.furnituredetective.com
Education/Credentials
BSBA Finance, University of Florida, MBA Finance, University of Florida
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You are here: Experts > Hobbies > Antiques: UK > Collectibles-General (Antiques) > Dresser
Expert: Fred Taylor - 11/9/2009
Question
The church that I attend operates a thrift store where much of the proceeds go to the needy. The store relies on donated items to sell and recently an old dresser was donated. A sticker on the back of the dresser states: American Walnut, Atlas Furniture Co., Made in Jamestown, New York. I am wondering if you could help me with the age of this item and maybe a low end price that we might charge for this item. I am attaching photo that may be helpful. The mirror was not attached, one of the 2 screws used to attach mirror was missing. Thank You for your attention.
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Answer
Dennis - The dresser is a Colonial Revival reproduction of Federal period furniture of the early 1800s. The legs are Sheraton style tapered legs with a spade foot. Thomas Sheraton was an English designer of the period. The dresser was made in the late 1920s to mid 1930s. It is made of walnut veneer. If you have the mirror it will confirm the date. All 20th century American plate mirror included in furniture is dated by law. The date is in dark gray on the gray side of the mirror glass itself. You will have to remove any paper or wood backing to see the back of the glass and the date. This is further explained and illustrated in my book “HOW TO BE A FURNITURE DETECTIVE.” In some cases there is no date. This may be because the original mirror has been replaced, the mirror has been resilvered or the mirror was not made in the United States
Atlas was formed in Jamestown in 1882 and billed itself as "Manufacturers of Bedroom Furniture." The missing mirror screw is called a "toilet pin" and any restoration shop will have some extra or can get one.
The dresser would sell at auction for around $50-$100.
Good luck.
Fred Taylor
www.furnituredetective.com
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