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Finding the Value of a Vintage Dresser?

February 7, 2020

A wooden dresser with metal drawer pulls.This was given to me in perfect shape and my kids have since beat it up. Does anyone know anything about this piece? I took it apart and there are no markings. It has a slab of marble on top.

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If I refinish it, should I strip all the veneer (I think that's what it is) and stain the wood underneath or would the value be better kept if I fix the peeled veneer and keep its normal appearance?

A wooden dresser with metal drawer pulls.
 
A wooden dresser with metal drawer pulls.
 
The side of a wooden dresser.
 
Inside a wooden dresser drawer.
 
The top of a wooden dresser.
 
An open drawer to a wooden dresser.
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
February 7, 20201 found this helpful
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Contact a furniture restorer or antique furniture dealer. You would want to have more knowledge before any attempt any process on this piece. Once you apply the wrong choice, it may devalue the piece. Better to be safe than sorry!

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 105 Posts
February 7, 20201 found this helpful
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If this was mine I would refinish the item and make it look nice again. If there are no marking on the dresser and you have no idea who has made it then it would be fine to refinish it and it should not hurt the value considering a lot of wood furniture is dropping in price these days.

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Sand down the dresser with sandpaper, use steel wool to do the fine clean up, remove the handles before applying the stain, and if you want to apply a clear coat of varnish to the finished product. I normally skip the varnish stage because I perfer the stained look to a varnish look.

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15 More Questions

Ask a QuestionHere are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community or ask a new question.

June 26, 2018

Can anyone tell me when this Johnson Carper French provincial dresser was made and is it worth much? It looks to have been painted.

Age and Value of a Johnson Carper French Provincial Dresser - six drawer dresser
 
Age and Value of a Johnson Carper French Provincial Dresser
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
June 26, 20181 found this helpful
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This is a different style chest, but also Johnson Carper and French Provincial. The asking price is $499.

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 28, 20180 found this helpful
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The dresser does not look to be in very good condition and good condition is what makes vintage furniture sell and also what brings in good money. I am assuming the damaged places on the top are where the "new" paint is coming off?

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  • Most of the time, painting is the worst possible thing you can do to vintage/antique furniture. Refurbishing generally always reduces the value by half or more and makes it difficult to sell. And a messed up paint job could make it impossible to sell - or to sell for more than $50-$75.
  • I believe the only people who might be interested in your dresser would be a furniture re-finisher/shop owner that thinks they can make some money by completely redoing it or someone who really needs drawer space and does not care very much about the looks.
  • Your dresser is the smaller size and would probably sell for $300-$400 if it was in good condition.
  • Here are a couple of links to similar dressers (not necessarily Johnson Carper) so you can see the similar style. This does not mean these will sell for the listed price (or any price). These dressers are in pretty good condition but not spotless. Also, these items are for local pick up only as they would be too costly to ship which means the sale may also depend on the size of city the dresser is located in.
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  • www.ebay.com/.../142433186965?hash=item2129adf495...
  • www.ebay.com/.../112636899790?hash=item1a39aeb1ce...
  • Here is a link that shows a similar dresser (larger dresser with mirror) sold in 2015 but probably pretty much the same today.
  • www.ebth.com/.../1929876-johnson-carper-french-provincial...
  • If you are interested in selling your dresser, I would suggest you list it on your local sale sites; Craigslist, IOffer, LetGo, 4Sale, etc.
  • You could start the price at $150 and see if anyone is interested as you can always reduce the price if necessary.
  • Good luck, I hope it is worth a lot more.
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February 14, 2019

I have a 1930s highboy chest of drawers, made by American Ball Co. and designed by Russell Wright. It is blonde maple wood with rectangular pulls. It is stamped on the inside of a drawer.

It is 46 in. high, 33 in.wide and 20 in.-deep. The pulls on drawers are 1/4 in.x 10 in.across. It is in excellent condition.

Value of a Vintage Chest of Drawers
 
Value of a Vintage Chest of Drawers
 

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
February 14, 20190 found this helpful
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Conant Ball closed in 1980.
According to this website a 6-drawer dresser sold for $700. www.justcollecting.com/.../conant-ball-furniture-company-information

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 196 Feedbacks
February 14, 20190 found this helpful
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These are neat pieces!! You are lucky to have something that has held its value!!

Online I have seen exact pieces like this selling between 100 and 1,200 dollars. Why the huge range? The lower price are where people (individuals) sold it on sites like PicClick or LetGo or Facebook Marketplace. The high prices are SOLD prices from auction houses around the country.

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You would do best selling this through a vintage store/antique dealer (even though it is not a true antique). You will get more for it that way (at least where I am that is the case). Most people will not pay big bucks for famous designer furniture when Jane Smith sells it, but if Jane Smith Antique Boutique on FUFU street sells it in the city, they pay it!

You will get a percentage of the sale, but it will still be more than you would fetch selling it yourself.

These are classic pieces that will last a lifetime!!

Post back where you are located and how much it fetches for you!!

Thanks for sharing this classic!!!

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February 18, 20190 found this helpful
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Hi,
You have a very beautiful chest of drawers.
The specific type is a Russel Wright (American Modern) Maple Secretaire - Snyders, made in the 1930 era.

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I have found one, of the same style, and it is going for a little over $1900.00. Here is the link:

www.1stdibs.com/.../

I would say you will get a great price on this piece. It has stayed in excellent condition, in my opinion.

Have a blessed day,

Robyn

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July 21, 2021

I picked this up several years back and have only seen one identical and it was online. I believe that it said it was from the early 1900, somewhere between 1900 and 1920.

Does anybody have any estimate on age and value or anything about this particular design?

An old chest of drawers.
 
A picture of the same chest of drawers in two colors.
 
Information on Chest of Drawers?
 
The top of a chest of drawers.
 
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June 7, 2018

These were purchased by my aunt approximately 50 years ago. I ended up with them when I last moved, and my kids have been using them for several years now. I'm in the process of moving again and they are way too heavy and outside of our taste to justify moving.

I cannot locate any markings on either of them. They are very heavy. How can I find out a ballpark figure for what they are worth?

Value of Vintage Dressers - dark wood vintage mirrored dresser
 
Value of Vintage Dressers
 

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
June 9, 20180 found this helpful
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I remember this style of furniture was popular in the 60's but it may be difficult to sell as most people will use some of the same reasons as you - too heavy, vintage but not antique, unknown brand/company, too dark. But, you just never know when someone will see these pieces and these could be just what they are looking for.

  • Take the top drawers out and look closely inside and outside as there may be some type of name or symbol. If there is a wood layer/partition under/between the drawers, use a flash light and look there also. Look on the back of both pieces also.
  • If you cannot find any names/markings don't be discouraged as there was a lot of good sturdy (real wood) furniture manufactured that did not show a company name.
  • I would suggest you seek some free appraisals (online) and see what one of these people tell you about these pieces.
  • An appraisal will give you a ball park figure but it will not mean you may actually sell it for that price. Furniture usually sold on eBay will have a "no shipping" or "pick up only" so it is like selling it on your local Craigslist for a buyer in your local area.
  • You can check out some of these sites to see what value they place on your pieces. Be sure to have some good photos and measurements and list any defects (missing drawer pull).
  • antiques.lovetoknow.com/Free_Antique_Appraisals_Online
  • Barneby's is the best site but they charge $17 for an appraisal.
  • www.barnebys.com/.../
  • If you wind up asking a "good" price for your pieces, be prepared to not be in a hurry for a sale but feel very fortunate if you do get a fast sale.
  • Some people think that an appraisal is a "waste of time" but potential buyers like to see an official appraisal and it can be a good selling point.
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September 2, 2020

Looking for a value of my Grandmother's circa 1930's wardrobe/dresser and matching low dresser.  See pic of wardrobe.   Any information or value would be appreciated!

A wooden Art Deco wardrobe.
 

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June 4, 2020

Can anyone help identify this dresser? All contact points are dovetails and the knobs are screw in with flathead screws.

Can Anyone Identify this Dresser? - decorated dresser with sailing ship on top
 
Can Anyone Identify this Dresser?
 

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December 30, 2017

We found a lovely dresser with a mirror. It has a copper nameplate on the back of the mirror that gives the name Lammerts. How can I peruse pictures of Lammerts dressers so I can find a match it to.

I want to learn more about the dresser with its mirror and find its value?

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Gold Post Medal for All Time! 677 Posts
December 31, 20170 found this helpful
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If it looks anything like this one its worth $12. www.ebth.com/.../4267891-lammerts-vintage-french-provincial...

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Gold Feedback Medal for All Time! 949 Feedbacks
January 3, 20180 found this helpful
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Lammerts was in business for 150 years but closed the last store in about 2007. It seems they made/sold a lot of sort-of inexpensive and finer furniture until about 1970 when they started selling only the finer style pieces.

  • Here is a link to a Google search that has only Lammert dressers so you may be able to find one like yours.
  • www.google.com/search?q=Lammerts+Dresser&client...
  • Here is site that shows one style dresser sold in 2016 for $81.
  • movinonestateauctions.com/.../
  • It is difficult to place a value on pieces like this as the condition and where you are located will have a big effect on the actual value.
  • You may be able to find some information on your dresser after you have determined the actual name/style.

Here is a link to check out if you are interested in information about the company.

www.stltoday.com/.../article_82472e0e-de2c-53ac-819f-e591efb1f3ef...

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June 23, 2021

I have had this dresser for a long time but I will not fit up the stairs in my new house so I am thinking of getting rid of it. I wanted to see how much it was worth first.

It is in good condition with a few minor blemishes to the wood and no backing.

An Old Dresser with Two Mirrors and Cabinet?
 
The cabinet inside the center of the dresser.
 
One of the mirrors for the dresser.
 
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January 25, 2020

I have a dresser and armoire in immaculate condition. The dresser has 2 mirrors, but unfortunately are broken from the frame. Everything else is eye candy. I have tried reaching out to different companies for answers and they were all dead ends. Honestly, I am really trying hard to help a friend get some extra cash and am seeking an estimated value for the two.

I am spinning wheels and I know these are worth more than what my friend is asking. Anyone's help would be much appreciated.

Value of an Owosso 790-19 Dresser and Armoire
 
Value of an Owosso 790-19 Dresser and Armoire
 
Value of an Owosso 790-19 Dresser and Armoire
 
Value of an Owosso 790-19 Dresser and Armoire
 

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Bronze Post Medal for All Time! 140 Posts
January 28, 20200 found this helpful
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Without make and markings it would be hard to determine the value. Although $200 is not a bad price. I would try auction /bid online to pull in a better price. Try to get more close pictures on all the wonderful wood cravings. Someone will love this as well!

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