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.
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 !!