VICTORIAN COMBINATION SHELF TABLE

I am having trouble finding any info on a shelf that converts to a table, that i recently aquired. I am not a collector i just really liked this piece. Any help you can provide would be much appreciated

You have what appears to be an Oak Victorian Combination Shelf Table that was either made by (or design borrowed from) The Combination Table Company out of Bryan, OH. The shelf/table was patented in 1893 and 1896. Your piece has a nice stick and ball design on the side, which along with other minor variations, differs from the typical pieces found by the CTC. Your table is in obvious need of restoration. In restored condition, it could fetch $500-650 at a good auction.




As we do when a reader sends in information that drastically contradicts our estimate, we provide information that informed our estimate and any new information that we find since the estimate. Our original article was written in 2011 in the midst of the great recession.

1998: Harry Rinker, noted furniture expert and author answers a Q & A about the said combination shelf and states he's seen similar pieces for $300.
2007: I.Collector.com reports a combination table did not get a $90 starting bid at a live auction and was passed. 
2014: Woody Auction: Refinished shelf/table. Pre-Auction estimate ($300-$1,500) SOLD for $1,100.
2014: Beyer Auction: Unfinished table. SOLD for $660 

I see that on an internet site that specializes in Mid-Century Modern and Industrial Furniture has a restored one priced at an astronomical $5,500. That site is known for very high pricing.
Appraisal of this piece since my article in 2011, would be higher due to 2 factors. 1) The market, while still down on average for furniture, has improved and 2) The Industrial collecting craze has kicked in since 2011. I believe the 2 auction results from 2014 show an improved market for such a piece, but, $5,500-$7,000 seems to be way out of the ballpark. 


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