Hi Folks, new to the site and of course the forum. I'm a novice at this but a quick learner. I found these two pieces over the last few years. Arts & Crafts/Mission is hard to find in this part of the country, Arkansas, but occasionally you find a diamond in the rough, and sometimes in rough condition.

I found this footstool in an anitques store in NW Ark. I think it's a Gus #300 but not sure. It needs restoring as someone many years ago stepped in the middle of it and broke through. Any Idea of value?

Second is a Stickley Bros #8214 small sideboard, with Quaint tag on the back. I need a value on this as well.

My Wife thinks it may be time to up our homeowners insurance. Any Help would be appreciated. Thanks, Rick

Rixter,

Welcome to the forum and thank you for posting your wonderful items. This do have value and obviously the sideboard is the real gem. Condition looks impecable. Can you post images of the hardware? I am not certain that I have current auction catalogues for value. I will check to see what I have. Be careful when restoring the footstool so as not to damage the tacks. You may consider reusing the leather and only replacing the torn webbing. Is the leather salvagable. Anything original you can keep will preserve value to the collector. I would not touch the finish of the wood on either piece.

Not sure Fred if I'm doing this correctly or not, but. I will post more pics of the sideboard hardware tomorrow. The only thing I can find wrong with it is the hardware inside the top drawer is missing it's brass insert inside the keyhole. I found this piece believe it or not at a flea market. I can find no evidence of refinishing, the finish is excellent, joints are tight and everything looks right.

On the footstool, it too is all original. The leather as expected is weathered but still has many good years left in it. All I need to do is find someone around here to restore it properly. I want to keep it in as orginal condition as I can. Thanks for your reply, Rick

Rick,

I suggest you contact Jerry Cohen at Craftsman Auctions. I believe Cohen is David Rago's partner in the venture and I think he still gives free appraisals. Let me see if I can find link to the site or a mailing address. Here we go!

Jerry Cohen
109 Main Street
Putnam, CT 06260
(800) 448-7828
jerry@artsncrafts.com

For insurance purposes you would need to get a written appraisal and Jerry would be the most likely person to get it from.

We would still like to see any other images you have and report back to us on what Jerry told you. I need to come with you on these fleemarket trips.

You know Fred it's one of those things. Like the old saying, you know it when you see it. When I found the Gus stool, the hair stood up on my neck. I didn't even know right off who made it, everything about it was right, size, scale, weight, hardware.... the same thing with the sideboard.

People around here don't have much appreciation for this kind of furnture, you can find tons of Eastlake, Victorian etc. There's a dealer down the road a bit that had a complete Limbert dining set, I mean everything and couldn't sell it. Went north and unloaded it.

One day, I'd like to find a compatible table and chairs for the sideboard. Thanks for your help, I'll send more pics tomorrow. Rick

Thanks Rick and good hunting.

Fred, I created another album. Hit next topic to see the hardware pics. Thanks Rick

Fred, just heard back from Jerry. Thanks for the help.

Rick,

Great to hear. Was he able to give you and estimate of value? Can you share it with us?

Sure, I was surpised by both.

He said at auction the stool 1100-1400 and the sideboard 2500-3500.

He also said his retail prices would be higher. He has a very nice site, lots of great stuff. Thank you for your help in this.

Maybe one day, I'll know enough to contribute some wisdom.

Rick

Rick,

Thanks for sharing. It is nice to have an idea of value when hunting for other treasures. I suspect the stool demands the price because it is Gus's work and it is untouched condition. I really like your sideboard.
Congratulations!

The sideboard is special to me, it was the first marked piece I bought. It's the perfect size, not too big, not to small. I did however find a rather large Lifetime rocker, in need of some serious restoration, thrown out by the street several years ago. I nearly ran off the road when I saw it. One day, I'll get them all restored properly. Just wish I had the talents of that Ralph guy, boy does he do great work.

Fred, I just want to say again thanks, and thanks for the nice comments. I just wish I had found this site sooner. There's a wealth of information on here, with some very knowledgable folks. Thanks again.

Rick,

It was a real pleasure. I love sharing what I know and I continue my edjucation though research and the questions and posts by people like you.