1938 Rattan Set Worth Less Than New

[frogpatch]

We needed a set for the sun porch in our new temporary place. My wife found this set on Craigslist for 40.00. There are two chairs, a table, couch and a hassock hidden in the back. The owners mother bought it new in 1938. Aside for a broken seat support on the one chair and some re-wrapping needed on one arm, it is in very good condition. I have already cut the one inch dowel to replace the support. The owner did the upholstery a few years ago and tiled the table top. I found an old ad for a very similar set from that year for 59.00 and it had fewer pieces. The owner tried to sell the set for 40.00 in a yard sale for days without a nibble. I can't believe that something made 75 years ago is worth less today.

[talesofthesevenseas]

I have found this to be true too. Often I buy perfectly functional antiques that I can use in my every day life for less than the modern plastic junk sold in stores. I buy antique whenever I can. Then not only is it "green" to do so, but they are decorative and I get a great deal of enjoyment from them. Good buy on that rattan set!

[bigwull]

Just last week, I saw a guy dump a 5 piece set..in a skip....up here in Scotland..I see these regularly fetch around £10 /£15 for anything up to 7/8 pieces....

[frogpatch]

I get green. Look at me.

[ghopper1924]

Welcome to the world of antique collecting!

[bigwull]

What did you expect...after all,its only a bamboo conservatory suite,..that has been lucky to last this long...

[mart]

Whats odd is the difference in selling prices depending on area !!  That set would have sold easily at $125. !!   Rattan, and wicker does well in this area !! Especially mid century styles !!

[frogpatch]

The Jersey Shore is loaded with casual vintage furniture in metal and rattan. The old wicker is not so common as it rotted away on porches in the dampness.  Occasionally a piece of Heywood Wakefield turns up in basement or attic.

Ghopper, you are the first one to welcome me to the business since I started selling in 1973. Most would ask why I wanted to be in this business. I actually sold a few pieces in 1966 until the police found the old barn we were getting it from.

[ghopper1924]

Ghopper, you are the first one to welcome me to the business since I started selling in 1973. Most would ask why I wanted to be in this business. I actually sold a few pieces in 1966 until the police found the old barn we were getting it from.
[/quote]


You are too funny. Again, then, welcome!!

[frogpatch]

It is the truth. All of it. We were selling antiques to a dealer. We went into a barn early in the morning which was right on the main road in suburban NJ. We would carry the stuff through a park to the other side where a dealer had a shop on the river. We would leave the stuff and come back after he opened and he would pay us. One day we came out of the barn there was a police car waiting. I tried to run and the cop tackled me and roughed me up pretty bad. At sixteen I was 6 feet tall so I can't blame him that much. Pig! We went to juvenile court over it but the dealer was not charged because we told him a story about our grandmothers attic. It was OK we had other rackets to make money.

[bigwull]

Its a true saying...never judge a book by its cover....or in your case..a green Frog....mind..we were all young and impetuous once,....I,ve got my skeletons ..well locked up....

[mart]

Ahh Ha !!  Now we know Frogpatch !!!