Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/13/2006

Question
I have just purchased two maching twin beds with metal stamping berkley and gay.  The bed is stamped that it is made with walnut and gumwood.  The headboards are embellished with eagles (very 1976 looking/military eagle style)and three small stars above the eagle.  The footboards are curved at the sides that will surround the mattress(think of a bathtub)with 4 delicate feet.  Two questions...please tell me about gumwood and any idea of the year manufactured?  Any other information would be great.  Thank you.
ann jardine

Answer
Opps..I pressed send before I had finished Ann
I wanted you to read this info about Berkley and Gay which another expert on our site wrote to someone else as follows...
The company was founded in 1866 when George Gay joined the Berkey Brothers to form Berkey Brothers & Gay. It was reincorporated as Berkey & Gay in 1873, winning an award at the Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia in 1876. The company was acquired by Simmons in 1929 and declared bankruptcy in 1931. It reopened in 1935 and was finally closed in 1948. The round B&G label in your set may have the name Simmons in the middle of the circle.
Details of B&G construction techniques and decorating are shown in “American Manufactured Furniture” by Don Fredgant, published by Schiffer Publishing.
So Ann it appears that your set is at least 58 years old.
Hi Ann
Nice to hear from you.
Gumwood is a lovely wood that I rarely come across in my shop.
I would have no idea of the year your bed was made but from your description I would think its high end furniture.
Here is everything you want to know about gumwood.
http://www.craftsman-style.info/finishing/065-gumwood.htm
Kindest Regards
Eileen