Expert: Eileen Cronk - 9/29/2007

Question
QUESTION: Would it be feasable that a 1930ish 2 glass door, walnut bookcase, would have a piece of walnut paneling for a back? It looks like it's been on there a long time and it matches pretty well, but it's just plain old pressed board wall paneling. Would they have used something like that for a back? I'm thinking of finishing a piece of real plywood with a walnut veneer and replacing it.  Would that be wrong?

ANSWER: Hi Penny
Nice to hear from you.
Penny I think the stuff you are seeing is called masonite.
Today we would call it press board I guess.
Many years ago my father fixed radios. They were really radios back then and bigger than todays floor style TV's.
Well they mostly had this masonite as backs on them.
I also have an oldish bookcase with this material on the back.
I have no idea when masonite first made an appearance, but late 30's early 40's is my guess.
Certainly you could replace the back if it bothered you, but my guess is its original.
And if you replace, you'll want to pay attention to the thickness of the new material as it will stick out and show from the sides if its too thick.
Good Luck and great question
Regards
Eileen

---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi Eileen, Thank you for your quick answer. Having you to ask is going to be a great asset! Recently I restored (not refinished) a 1940's cedar chest (for my daughter who just got married in June)and now I have the bug. There is just something satisfying about taking something old and beaten up and lovingly and patiently returning it (with some imperfections that a 70 year old should have)to something lovely. It just about kills me when I see someone has taken something with a beautiful old patina, stripped it down and put polyurethane on it. Tragic! Why not just buy something new then?
This bookcase I have now is definitely Art Moderne, 1930's. On closer look, the panel back looks like the paneling my mom had in the 70's. (It has a fake vinyl veneer on it). The original back may very well have been masonite, like you suggested, but what is on the piece now is ugly wall paneling, pure and simple and it's gotta' go. What do you think would be the best alternative to make the piece more original? Thanks so much for time and help.
Penny

Answer
Hi again Penny
Congratulations on getting the "bug".
As you say fixing old things is indeed very satisfying.
And I agree with you that I too dislike seeing lovely old furniture incorrectly treated...and ruined in so many cases.
About the only thing I can suggest to replace this ugly back would be a piece of 1/4 inch mahogany plywood.
It can be stained and finished, and you will want something thin so that comes to mind.
Any lumber yard will cut it to your needs.
Also look to see if an alternate veneered ply is available this thin.
I know I cannot get it here in Canada and always use the mahogany when I need to replace a back.
Good Luck and its been nice hearing from you.
Regards
Eileen