Dear Sir or Madame
I have a Paalman Teacart and I am trying to figure out the year of manufacturing. It’s a three tier drop leaf walnut cart with a removable glass serving tray on top. The cart has a diamond shaped red paper label on the bottom titled with Paalman Furniture Company, Grand Rapids Michigan with the number “35” stamped in the middle of it. It has the 1918 patent date stamped on the collapsible portion of the handle. I understand that the stamp on the handle is likely for the patent on the handle mechanism itself, as that was what Paalman was known for. However, I am unable to find anything that provides me with a year of which model number “35” would have been manufactured. Any assistance or guidance would be greatly appreciated.
🙂 LOL – Thanks!! Speaking from [u]personal[/u] experience, couldn’t agree more that “age does not always equal value!!” Again, my sincerest thanks for the insight you were able to provide. Once we get the cart back from the restoration company I’ll post some pics. I think she’s a beaut!!
Wow,, you sound very determined to get the correct look !! Excellent !! Wish I could offer more but between the two forums we have had many questions about this company and still have little info !!
However there is a bit more to furniture than most think !! Paalman had no distinctive styles of their own and only reproduced the styles of others !! And since the construction methods are basically the same on all,, you really cant guess at the time period !!
I looked at many of these carts yesterday and every single one said 1920`s !!
Thats because people think that the earlier they are the more valuable they will be !! But on things like this the reason one will sell higher than others is simply a matter of personal taste !! Age does not always equal value !!
Very little online about Paalman Furniture Co. And its difficult to guess when one of these tea wagons was made because they basically just reproduced other styles !! No record of dating their furniture exists !! I think the diamond shaped label was the earlier one but cant say for sure and no way to tell when they discontinued it for the circular label !! Value for most runs between $200 and $300. but even that depends on the current market !! There are many available for sale on the internet !!
Thank you so much for getting back with me. I did come across a post that had a circular label with the model number “39” stamped on it. According to the post it was dated in the 1920s. So I was assuming a lower numbered model, with a different shaped label was likely an earlier model. That at least narrows it down between 1918 – 1920 right? None the less, I’m really not interested in any resale value at this time. I purchased the cart because it coordinates with my grandparents dinette set and side table that we had restored many years ago in VA. We received a silver coffee/tea serving set for our 25th Anniversary a few years back and then an amazing hand painted French china tea cup and plate set. That’s when I got a “vision” in my head for my dinning room and what I wanted that to look like. I searched for almost two years for the leg design and other style specifics. Finally found it and drove 12 hours back and fourth between OH and IL to pick “her” up. So definitely not interested in any type of resale value at this time. Just wanting to get “her” full history! :0) Again, any guidance and advice is GREATLY appreciated!!