Kuehne Oak Furniture

[whatsyurprob]

I got this at a Thrift store for $65.00 and have no idea what it is or if it's worth anything at all.  There's virtually no info on the company and what there is doesn't tell much.  Started in 32 in Mattoon Ill. and went out of business in 65 due to a copyright infringement.  Were the leaders in quality "Tube" kitchenettes starting in the late 50's.  Two oak dinette images in google from the 40's.  There's a couple of pieces over at worthipedia but they already sold, neither were Buffet and unless you're a member U don't know what they sold for. ..  ...  That's it.  I've even called the Chamber of Commerce in Mattoon.  No one knows anything.  

Weird.

Oh, one of the back legs is a little warped inwardly, but can be taken out with a little water and a clamp or two.

Anyway, , , please help my ignorance.  Just what do I have here?

Thanx

[sapphire]

You've likely run across most or all of these........but maybe something here will help track your buffet's history.

Philadelphia Sunday Morning Star,

Nov.23, 1947
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2293&dat=19471123&id=zN4mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=gQIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3184,386070

May 27, 1949
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=2293&dat=19490327&id=Tt4mAAAAIBAJ&sjid=cgIGAAAAIBAJ&pg=3920,6272691

A bit of history on the Snellenburg store whose advertisements appear above.

http://departmentstorehistory.net/disc.htm

"Nathan Snellenburg opened his mens' clothing store in 1873 on Philadelphia's South Street. Before long, the store moved to its landmark location at 12th and Market Streets. Snellenburg's became one of Philadelphia's Big 6 department stores, joining Wanamakers, Strawbridge's, Gimbels, Lits, and Frank & Seder. N. Snellenburg Co. was purchased by Bankers Securities Corporation in June 1951. Bankers Security was also an affiliate of City Stores, the parent company of Lit Brothers. Like Lits, Snellenburg's catered to the working class of Philadelphia. Snellenburg's did branch out to the suburbs, opening stores at 23rd & Oregon Ave., Willow Grove and Lawrence Park, along with several auto centers. In August 1958, Snellenburg's purchased Atlantic City's M.E. Blatt Co., creating Snellenburgs-Blatt, South Jersey's largest department store. In February 1962, Snellenburg's announced that all of its suburban stores would be acquired by Lit Brothers. Snellenburg's operated its flagship store for one more year until February 15, 1963. On that day, customers were quickly ushered out of the stores before 2pm and employees were gathered and told by store officials that store had just closed its doors permanently at the 2pm hour. All merchandise was liquidated one month later in Lits' basement store"


April, 1953 advertisement
http://graphic-design.tjs-labs.com/show-picture?id=1174783199&size=FULL

The Florence Times (Alabama), Nov, 1957
http://news.google.com/newspapers?nid=1842&dat=19571125&id=OxcsAAAAIBAJ&sjid=isgEAAAAIBAJ&pg=2424,6072886


***I noticed in the following ad the red block denoting Advertised in Life (magazine). If you could access old copies from the mid to late 40's you may luck into finding more info on your piece.

http://books.google.com/books?id=21IEAAAAMBAJ&pg=PA77&lpg=PA77&dq=kuehne+manufacturing+mattoon&source=bl&ots=Ute7N7xaIF&sig=xtgmS7p-YMWH7N5Ru44kePO9pdc&hl=en&ei=qnIATNODBcP6lwfX58CDCg&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=10&ved=0CD4Q6AEwCQ#v=onepage&q=kuehne%20manufacturing%20mattoon&f=false