Really? It was a while ago if so. I know my grandmother grew up with it in her house. I wasn't expecting that response at all. lol
That ## t'was nothing to worry about. Me thinks they have been auctioning off household good for far longer than that table has been around.
But anyway, that could be an "
inventory #". It was common practice in the old days for the contents of the homes of the "well-to-do's" to be inventoried either pre or post their demise.
And it is those "
inventory lists" that permits the
preservaton societies to "track down" furniture. etc. when restoring a home of some noted family/person.
PS: here is reference of one such "list".
Historical Notes: When Thomas Jefferson married the young widow Martha Wayles Skelton in January 1772, she brought to their household a number of items acquired during her first marriage to Bathurst Skelton, 1766-68. On January 18, 1772,
Jefferson made a list in his Fee Book, "By sundry European goods on hand at the death of B. Skelton & taken by me." The list mentions many household items, including one silver ladle, one dozen tablespoons, one dozen teaspoons, two pairs "gaderoon salts" with four glass liners and four "salt shovels."
http://www.monticello.org/site/research-and-collections/soup-ladle
