Posted 10 years ago
Cahill
(1 item)
Bought this beautiful piece and unsure what it is. I have been told a radio bar, a court cupboard, linen closet. I have been unable to find one like it and am interested in what it is, how old, and value. Any help would be appreciated. I submitted it to a well known pay appraisal site and all they did was ask for more money to research it.
Any help would be greatly appreciated.
This is a china cabinet, probably from the 1930s. Bernhard was a pretty good make, from what I know. It was probably part of a dining room set, with at least a table, possibly a sideboard. A very pretty piece!
Here is a link to once very similar to yours:
http://ancientpoint.com/inf/76681-furniture___vintage_dining_room_set_buffet_china_cabinet_table_6_chairs_gorgeous.html
Thanks upstate collector, after looking at yours I tend to agree.
Can I ask about the Bernhard's label?
What is written underneath the word 'Bernhard's'?
Established 1888?
745 or 739 Mission Street San Francisco 3 Cal.
Is the number different?
Vetraio50, How in the world did you know the number. It is 739. It does not mention established in 1888. I put the address on the internet and found zilch. Any more to offer would be great. Thanks, Cahill
I found a reference to them here on ebay
http://www.ebay.com/itm/1950-039-s-Bernhard-039-s-Furniture-San-Francisco-Mid-Century-photos-postcards-design-/301274132313?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item4625566f59&nma=true&si=asOwCwVTZ7eUlrE%252B0EtxfawPl4Y%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557
Look at the last photo.
Notice the number is 745 on the header of that typed page.
That gave me an address to work with.
That led me to a court case on line where Berhard's were being sued.
The address in 1932 was 739 ......
https://law.resource.org/pub/us/case/ca9/briefs/govuscourtsca9briefs1922/gov.uscourts.ca9.07782.b.01.pdf
Look at the defendant's name "SAM T. BERNHARD ".
SAM T. BERNHARD
President Bernhard Mattress Company. Born Monticello, Florida, March 9, 1862. Arrived in California May 1, 1879. Address, San Francisco.
So he probably started off with mattresses and moved on to selling home furnishings. The catalogue from the 50's on ebay shows the development.
What interests me though is the address.
You say that it is 739. That suggests an earlier date for your piece of furniture.
What fascinates me is the court case of 1932. In it there are details about the furniture that Berhard's were sourcing from the Century Furniture Co. (1900 - 1942).
I am glad you are not after me. You are an incredible investigator. I am extremely impressed. Thanks again
I've had a read through the court document and there are items that might describe your cabinet.
Perhaps someone can identify the wood on your cabinet?
Is it beech? maple? walnut? oak?
On page 21 they talk about a French provincial buffet :K1173 - $198.
You never know???!!!
It's a lead. But then maybe Bernhard's had other suppliers too!
Another supplier from Grand Rapids perhaps?
http://www.furniturecityhistory.org/company/3430/century-furniture-co
You gave me a lot to follow up on. I hope you are not a hacker or the world would be screwed
Greetings from Sydney, Australia!
Love mysteries!
Thanks from Yuba City, California.
Any chance you found out how much your piece is worth? I have a hutch and I believe a table and chairs from the same company. Can't find anything online about them.