Kevinpreston3
Well-known member
- Joined
- Apr 28, 2005
- Messages
- 484
Thought I would share something fun.
About 6 years ago I was enjoying a book "Popular Art Deco" by Robert Heide and John Gilman. There is some wonderful information on the 1939 World's Fair and associated collectibles. On page 171 there is an amazing "porcelaine-enameled and painted-wood kitchen table" on display at a museum. Notes on its description indicated that is was on loan to the museum by the authors of the book. I was so jealous. I had never seen another one in any book before or since.
About a year later, my wife and I went to a big vintage toy show in Glendale, California. It was both dealers and booths by individuals. We were among the first inside. I go around the corner, and there is one of the tables like that in the book! We were stunned.
It was brought in by a very reputable Hollywood vintage furniture dealer just on a whim. He had only sold one before and seen one other. It was quite expensive, but he agreed that I could pay him on time. I gave him a deposit right then and there. We continued looking at toys rather in shock.
Saying goodbye to him that evening, he said that 9 different people had offered to buy the table, including one guy who offered more than the asking price. He was angry that I had gotten it.
About 6 months later we were paid off and we got it and brought it home. Here's the details.
I was mildly concerned whether this was a real item. As I analyzed the bottom of the table it was clear that it was old--just by the fittings and the markings. I discovered it was one of the porcelainized tables made by Ingram Richardson. It is stamped PORCELIRON. Further research indicated that these people made a standard table with silverware drawer and slide out extensions. Question was, what about the World's Fair aspect of it?
When comparing to the model in the book, the way the logos are placed on the table and some of the lines are different. I know my chairs were repainted, as the paint seemed soft and is perfect. I do not know if the chairs are original, but someone would have to have gone through enormous trouble to duplicate them. Although the surface of the table looks perfect, there are enough surface scratches on it that make me think it's a very well cared for original that was touched up.
I have no more proof than the item itself, but I am still blown away by it to this day. I wish I knew more about it, but information just does not exist. I would have thought this was something that was a one off, be it not for the version of the item in the book and the store owner guaranteeing me its authenticity. I will leave it for you all to ponder.
About 6 years ago I was enjoying a book "Popular Art Deco" by Robert Heide and John Gilman. There is some wonderful information on the 1939 World's Fair and associated collectibles. On page 171 there is an amazing "porcelaine-enameled and painted-wood kitchen table" on display at a museum. Notes on its description indicated that is was on loan to the museum by the authors of the book. I was so jealous. I had never seen another one in any book before or since.
About a year later, my wife and I went to a big vintage toy show in Glendale, California. It was both dealers and booths by individuals. We were among the first inside. I go around the corner, and there is one of the tables like that in the book! We were stunned.
It was brought in by a very reputable Hollywood vintage furniture dealer just on a whim. He had only sold one before and seen one other. It was quite expensive, but he agreed that I could pay him on time. I gave him a deposit right then and there. We continued looking at toys rather in shock.
Saying goodbye to him that evening, he said that 9 different people had offered to buy the table, including one guy who offered more than the asking price. He was angry that I had gotten it.
About 6 months later we were paid off and we got it and brought it home. Here's the details.
I was mildly concerned whether this was a real item. As I analyzed the bottom of the table it was clear that it was old--just by the fittings and the markings. I discovered it was one of the porcelainized tables made by Ingram Richardson. It is stamped PORCELIRON. Further research indicated that these people made a standard table with silverware drawer and slide out extensions. Question was, what about the World's Fair aspect of it?
When comparing to the model in the book, the way the logos are placed on the table and some of the lines are different. I know my chairs were repainted, as the paint seemed soft and is perfect. I do not know if the chairs are original, but someone would have to have gone through enormous trouble to duplicate them. Although the surface of the table looks perfect, there are enough surface scratches on it that make me think it's a very well cared for original that was touched up.
I have no more proof than the item itself, but I am still blown away by it to this day. I wish I knew more about it, but information just does not exist. I would have thought this was something that was a one off, be it not for the version of the item in the book and the store owner guaranteeing me its authenticity. I will leave it for you all to ponder.
