Q: In the late 1970s, I purchased a slant-front desk from a minister in New Hampshire. Now I would like to sell it. The sticker on the back says “Paine Furniture Company, Makers of Fine Furniture, Boston.” The desk is 46 inches high by 35 inches wide and 10 inches deep. What could I get for the desk?
A: Paine Furniture Co., now located on Cape Cod and called “Paine’s Patio,” traces its history back to 1835. But the company’s name didn’t become “Paine Furniture Co.” until 1928. Paine used brass tags to mark its furniture until 1943, when it switched to cloth tags. It started using paper labels in 1966. So if your desk is marked with a paper sticker, it was made no earlier than 1966. Its value also depends on condition and construction quality. If your desk is well made and in tiptop shape, you might be able to sell it for $100 or more.