I picked up this library table today and managed to identify the maker's stencil as Malcolm and Souter, Hamilton, Ont. Canada, by a little deductive reasoning and the Hamilton Library web archives. The table was bought about 25 miles from Hamilton (yes, I'm a Canuck) and was fresh from an estate, so I might be only the second owner. It has good proportions and decent use of 1/4 cut and nice bronze pulls. Any fellow Canucks out there with any insight on this company?
Just read your post on Malcolm & Souter. As you can tell by my last name - it was my family company for many generation. My great grandfather - Alexander Mitchell Souter founded the company with his business partner William Malcolm. We operated the factory (Malcolm & Souter)from 1884 until 1952 through 3 generations of Souters and also had a 6 story retail store located at 91-93 King St W in Hamilton. The factory closed due to declining demand for the furniture that we manufactured (high end, hardwood traditional design dining and occasional tables, bedroom sets,etc)however the store continued in business until the late 60's when it too fell victim to the changing consumers tastes. The last surviving member of the family who actually worked in the operation (my father) continues to attend auctions in and around Hamilton and has been quite successful over the years in finding, buying and restoring old Malcolm & Souter furniture. Unfortunately he does not do it as a business but rather as a labour of love and each year my sibblings and I recieve furniture pieces from Dad with the appropriate history of the construction, design and care & feeding for the piece. My personal favourite is a walnut Library table that was my grandfathers (I'm his namesake) which Dad refinished abut 5 years ago and which maintains a position of prominence in my house. Its a great family heritage to have.
My original message was several months ago but luckily I'm a regular here so it's great to see your reply message. Thanks for the great input regarding the company and your family. The on-line Hamilton library archives really peaked my interest in the company, and I grew up in Burlington, so I know the Hamilton area well and I know the exact location of the old factory. I'm still in the area (outside Toronto) and I keep looking for the M&S name but alas have only found the one piece so far. Do you know if there were catalogues produced back in the day? Finding one of these would be a great resource, regarding what furniture was made and what to look for. I took down my original message picture long ago, but here it is again - shows the table, the shopmark, and a couple pictures from the Hamilton archives.
Hi, Just read your article on Malcom & Souter...found it interesting as I have a lg. chest of drawers made by same company. Label is different though as it is marked with gold foil inside a drawer. It needs restoring though as we suffered a sewage backup in our home. Hate to dispose of it as it is an old family piece...any suggestions?
Originally posted by Cricket61: It needs restoring though as we suffered a sewage backup in our home. Hate to dispose of it as it is an old family piece...any suggestions?
Cricket,
If you can post any pictures, it would be a big help in regards to commenting on restoration. I assume it soaked up a lot of water and wrecked the original finish, and maybe it warped a bit. Is it a Mission style piece, or something different?
Thank you Stonecat, Have lent our my digital camera at the moment but as soon as I get it back I will post photos. In the meantime it measures top section: 14"d x 4"h x 36"w, with 2 slim drawers bottom section: 20"d x 36"h x 40"w with 3 small dawers first accross, then 3 deep drawers below. The sewage caused the veneer to lift and warp, the dove tails on bottom drawer have come undone also.
..sounds like a bit of work..the pictures will help when you get them up..I assume the veneer is on the sides or is it on the drawer fronts as well?..do you know what kind of wood?
all veneer, mahogoney with burled walnut accent front panels. Very beautiful piece in its time. The insurance company is going to pay to replace it...and we are still arguing about how much $$. I am not even sure of its value. They feel $800.00 cdn. is good...what do ya think?
..hmm tough question, without pictures; would have to take a guess at when it was made, it sounds like a Victorian piece from the description and wood combo, and personally I would put more value on it being a known Canadian maker, compared to an unmarked and unidentifiable maker
..if you can hold off for a bit until you can get the pictures up, I'm sure we can come up with a better valuation..top of my head thinks maybe a bit more than 800
..detailed pics of course will help, like checking if the dovetails are hand or machine cut, if the drawers are dovetailed at the back as well, if the bottom of the drawers are chamfered, etc. because Canadian made Victorian can still have lots of hand work..
..now on the other hand it could be a 'revival' piece from the early 1900s that is essentially a copy of earlier times...so next question, do you know exactly how old it is?
It looks like an early 1900's piece, not an older Victorian. The veneer work is pretty fancy, but it was relatively easy to do with the machinery of the day. I think the $800 valuation is pretty solid for this - I would take it.
