Maybe someone can identify this table. It belongs to my mom & unfortunately it was refinished 25+ yrs ago, so if there was any type of i.d./sticker on it, it's long gone. Always a chance that it's 'home-made' too, but I've had no luck finding anything similar to it. I have a few other pics I can email, couldnt figure out how to add more than 1 on here.

Hope you can help. Btw, it's for sale, in the central Illinois area.

Dave,
The table looks interesting. You can post more pictures by posting multiple messages, creating collages in a picture editing program as Stonecat does and post them on another picture hosting site, or if you have a few to many pictures you can create an album of photos (maybe the easiest method - from the "New" folder on the main furniture forum page, click "Photo album"). My first thought was that your table is homemade but of very good quality but it could be something like Limbert or a generic maker that copied some of the Limbert style. I don't have any Limbert books here at my office...please post more photos.

Thanks for your help Steve. I've added another post with the pictures.

i think i can identify the maker, but i would need to "lay hands" on the table, so you would have to send it to me, freight paid. i am a novice, so this may take ten to twenty years. however,between sessions, it will have a comfortable place next to my morris chair...

Limbert model 104, seen in the 1903 and 1905 catalogs - nice early Limbert table, worth a few bucks

..the top has had a layer added around and under the edge and this should really be removed...it also looks like reinforcing inside corner braces may have been added to the under top rails - if this is the case, they should probably be tossed as well and a proper re-glue job done, depending on how the top is actually attached..check this maybe and let us know

Good work Stonecat. I thought it looked familiar. Your comments on the additions would explain why it looked a little off. The ad Stonecat posted says it costs $15. I can bring $15 cash to your house on Sunday afternoon. Just post an address...

No, seriously, how much are you asking for it? I am in southern Indiana and could probably drive over if it was something I could afford (I am a grad student so that wouldn't be much!).

The metal corner brackets added underneath to hold the top on are definitely not original. And the thick edge on the top is what made me think it was not straight-up Limbert. But I agree with SC, it is a Limbert and the extras were added later.

i may have asked this before, but where in indiana are you steve?

Hey, Steve,

I'll race you for that table.

Race?! We'll see how much Dave wants for it.

Don - I am in Bloomington at Indiana University - PhD program in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology...

Thanks for the info all. From what I've seen on Ebay & other sites, would/should the 'Limbert' name be woodburned on the bottom of the table? Could it have been lost in the stripping process? As far as price, I havent really anything to compare it too(yet)& being aware that's it's in an altered state. My Email is in my profile if you're interested in giving me an idea what you're willing to give for it, we'll settle on a price that makes everyone happy.

You Ph.D's are so practical.

We leave tomorrow for NM. Unfortunately, Illinois is the wrong direction. But Dave, I do have family around Lincoln which is about as central as you can get. So relax, Steve, I can't race you this weekend.

It's a great table. What are the dimensions? What are you asking?

Bev.

quote:

Originally posted by Dave:
Thanks for the info all. From what I've seen on Ebay & other sites, would/should the 'Limbert' name be woodburned on the bottom of the table? Could it have been lost in the stripping process?

The burned or branded mark wasn't used until 1906. This table is in the 03 and 05 catalogs but not the 08, so I assume all this one would have had originally was a paper label. The label could have been lost anytime really - check underneath for any evidence of a rectangular glue line or just an area that is off colour. Regardless, I think the catalog match is a pretty firm identification. It doesn't look like a model that a generic maker would have copied; slight chance maybe but unlikely.

Wwell, I guess I'm impatient. I've pretty much exhausted my resources on the 'net & Emailed some folks for appraisals for the table. Only one I've got back was "it's been pretty much altered from original so value would be what someone would be willing to pay for it." So the next question is:

Will it be worth the time & trouble to have the table restored as much as possible to it's original integrity, or sell "as is"? All I know about it is the fact that it was painted black before it was stripped down over 25 yrs ago. I noticed in the catalog pic that Stonecat gave that it said "finished any color". Who knows if the black was it or was painted at some point in the previous 75 yrs. Painting it again would be a mistake in my opinion, but what about the removal of the extra wood along the bottom of the tabletop?

That only leaves the question of it's worth. I've found absolutely nothing to compare it to on the net & there's no listing of that particular table in any of the price guides that I've looked thru. Is it that rare of a table? What surprises those that I've talked to is that the catalog called it a 'library table'. I know the estate that it came from used it as a gaming table. If it could only talk!

once an object is produced, it takes on a life of its own. the maker can call it a library table, but if the user wants to place a bird cage on it, does that make it a different table?

i have seen this discussed in several forums, from here to pages of magazine. it appears the first refinish is the most damaging as far as value. if that finish is not in character, a second refinish to bring it back to the color of the original can only add to value, but it will not be that of an original finish piece.

that said, i'll offer you $50. as is....how about $51?

First off, if Don is going to lowball the bidding I will have no problem going a few bucks (maybe many bucks) higher

Questions that affect the potential restoration (or re-refinishing), and the current value:

1) What is it finished with now? shellac, lacquer, or varnish?

2) How are the pieces around the outside edge attached? screws, glue, nails, or any combo of these?

3) Have the inside corner braces clearly been added or is it hard to tell?

Last question affecting what someone might want to pay - can it be dismantled for easier and cheaper shipping - meaning, a package the size of the top with the legs and braces disassembled and placed flat against the top in a big box?

Hello Friends,
Stonecat has a great idea as I already do this with pieces that I want to ship all over the country, via UPS Ground. Here is all you have to do first break the piece down as if you are going to ship it and encase it in a box. Then measure around the box vertically and across he top and if it does not exceed 160" and weigh over 150 pounds you may ship it. I have a number out in my shop that I will provide to anyone who would care to have it as it is an 800 number directly to UPS Ground. Tell them how much it weighs and the wrapped size and they will send a pickup order to your home and or business and you pay by check when they pick it up.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones