Display Counter/Cabinet

[ozzie marie]

I purchased this Display Counter/Cabinet at an auction this week.
Does anyone know what this could have been used for originally?

Thanks!
Keith

[zzyzzogeton]

Back in the "old days" when this was new, there was a cardboard/pressboard/plywood "liner" that went over the slats that was covered with cloth or felt. That way, the background could be changed as required to show off what ever was being displayed. Some things look better on red, others on green or gray or light blue. Allowed for a lot of flexibilty with displaying of wares. Example, gold plated wares look better on red while silver usually looks better on green.

[FRJ]

That is handsome display cabinet, Keith.

[ozzie marie]

Thanks for the information zzyzzogeton

Any idea of how old it might be?

Keith

[jerryd6818]

Well look who popped his head up. Keith I haven't seen you post in a month of Sundays. I hope you're getting along well and selling lots of knives.

[zzyzzogeton]

Thanks for the information zzyzzogeton

Any idea of how old it might be?

Keith

Pretty sure it's pre-WW2. After the war, the "modern" look prevailed and new display cabinets tended to be more metal and glass than wood and glass. Somewhere on it, probably on the inside or underside or back, there might be a maker's stamp/brand or a seller's label, e.g., SEARS or some other company. If there is, you MIGHT be able to track down a more accurate time frame.

When my great-uncle made furniture, he would either wood-burn or ink stamp his name on the bottom/back/inside/somewhere. He started out using a small branding iron he made but later shifted to a rubber stamp and water-resistant ink. IF you can find such a mark, you MIGHT be able to trace the maker. Maybe not.

With my great-uncle, his early work was simply branded BHM in an oval. His rubber stamp had his near-full name -- BENJAMIN H. MUEHLHAUSE centered along with BARTLETT, TEXAS along the upper and lower arcs of an oval. No one with a BHM stamped piece of his work would have a clue as to where an item was made or who really made it. That's the secondary reason why he eventually went with the stamp. The primary reason was a stamp was faster, especially when he would make 50 to 100 ladders in a day or 200 - 300 beer boxes per day.