Expert: Eileen Cronk - 2/6/2004

Question
Hi Eileen, i have recently found in an antique store a piece of sold genuine mahogany dresser /w mirror together with a bed stand which looks perfect and i really love it. it carry a metal label named Mahogany Association Inc. and a number 225 on it, price:$2295. Please tell me more information about the origin, date of production, the rarity and a resonable value estimate if you can. And most of all your advice on whether this price is worth for buying would be most appreciated.
Thank you very much for your kind attention.

B.R.
Alex Au

Answer
Hi Alex
Nice to hear from you.
You are not the first person to ask me about "The Mahogany Assocation"
I did quite an extensive net search just a few months back and found there are a great many people with this furniture who are asking the same question as yours.
What I found out was that the "Mahogany Association" label appears on furniture made of genuine mahogany, and was not the label of the furniture maker.
I also found out the "Mahogany Association" existed in the 1940's. Can we say then that your furniture is from the 40's? It would be a good guess wouldn't it.
Without seeing the pieces you describe Alex, its hard to tell you for certain, but to me the price is excessive.
Perhaps if the dealer was interested in a sale, he could provide some detail as to the history of these pieces and why he feels the price is justified.
Over the years I have had a lot of real mahogany pieces in my shop for repairs etc., and while they are certainly lovely, I would really think hard about spending this kind of money on them.
Hope this helps a bit Alex, and remember that old saying "buyer beware".
Regards
Eileen