What do I have here?

Jan has this old cabinet that she rescued from the scrap bin a couple of decades ago. Her late husband had attached some 3/4" plywood in the sides and drilled for large dowels to support shelves for a tv and audio equipment. I've removed those. He also removed the back, 3/4's of which is now lost but was solid oak about 1/4" thick and was comprised of four vertical boards of which I have one.

The sides attach to the top and bottom with some wedges. Front stiles are face nailed to the sides and then reinforced with glue blocks. It all looks like flat sawn white oak.

The cabinet is old, but I don't know how old. Looks arts and crafts to me.

The plan is to clean it up, make only the repairs necessary to make it sellable (replace missing back, missing glue blocks and maybe the original shelves and tighten up joinery where I can).

What is it? How old? What's it worth? How should it be marketed?

I'd guess it was probably a closet/armoire since it has the drawers at the bottom and there aren't water stains (from ice, thinking ice box). Probably would server great as one today too. Nice looking cabinet.

Found this to be very close in size and style: http://foter.com/explore/oak-wardrobe-armoire

Edit: And found one with pics of the inside: http://goochsells.hibid.com/lot/19718013/antique-knock-down-oak-wardrobe/?ref=catalog

That one looks about like what you've got, minus the back and clothes rod. I personally think it could be made to look a little nicer, maybe add some inserts/shelves to help make someone see what it "could" be used for.

I just realized it had the wedges at the top too, so it was meant to be able to "knock" down for moving and shipping, so the back probably was in sections too, interesting design.

Here is also a good description of one on ebay that was linked from pintrest (https://www.pinterest.com/pin/64105994666387289/): http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Oak...375?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item2a1f327ebf

Rennie, style is late East Lake 1900-1910. I have a cabinet and a large Tall mirror in the shop now. I'll get a picture of it. Similar frame design.

Dave Hawksford said:

Rennie, style is late East Lake 1900-1910. I have a cabinet and a large Tall mirror in the shop now. I'll get a picture of it. Similar frame design.

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Thanks Dave! I was sure this would be something you would know about. Is it valuable? Is it something I need to be very careful with? Can I destroy the historical value by making any needed repairs?

A couple of the stiles on the side have a split near the end and there are several missing glue blocks and one missing wedge clamp. Should I go ahead and replace or repair those items? How about the back? Should I mill some white oak down to 1/4" to replace the back or would a sheet of oak veneer do as well?

Most of the pictures I've seen of cabinets like this have a single hanging rod. This one seems to have had shelves, three spaced about 14" apart near the top leaving a taller space at the bottom. Should I replace them?

Our goal is to clean this up and sell it. No room in our little house for something like this. Since it was a rescued piece there is no emotional attachment.

It's been stripped before , new trim looks to be added around the top. Keep with the style you'll be ok. Something like that may bring 600- 1200 just need to find the Butt to fit the horse.

It's a Tardis?

Chuck Ellis said:

It's a Tardis?

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No, but if you step through it you wind up in a wooded area stuck in perpetual winter!

Thanks Dave!

So, plan is to clean up, resaw some white oak for the back panels (thought this was a better choice than plywood) make the needed repairs and put it up for sale.

All of the hinges are missing the pins. Any ideas on what to use to replace them?

Dave Hawksford said:

It's been stripped before , new trim looks to be added around the top. Keep with the style you'll be ok. Something like that may bring 600- 1200 just need to find the Butt to fit the horse.

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You can still order hindges. Call Teresa @ C& H
18004430932 she should have the size you need.

Dave