Seeking insight on this Imperial End table

[dbendell0711]

Hey everyone. I haven't been active on here for a while due to having to take on a second job. Now that I am laid off from both jobs, I have been focusing full time on refinishing furniture.
You all have been so generous with giving insight in the past and I am in desperate need of some, once again, being as how appraisals are not my forte. So here's the deal:

I found this end table last fall, and did some searching for answers. The piece was manufactured by Imperial, based out of Grand Rapids, as you can see in the photos. Based on the version of the branding, it seems to have been produced sometime between 1954-1956. I don't know if that alone gives this piece value... I also read online that the top of these pieces are actually made of leather. I can tell that there is definitely hand painted detail, however, since I bought this guy, I have seen numerous other similar items, most in terrible shape and very "wobbly" with the "leather" peeling off. I would say out of all that I have seen, this table seems to be in the upper 80% as far as wear and tear. The other thing I find interesting are the wheels on the legs. I think they are pretty cool but does that add or take away from it if i were to refinish it?

All in all... here are my questions:

Is this something that has any value as is?

Should I remove the wheels and re-paint it/sell it (the paint I use is a thick eco-friendly chalk paint that Is manufactured in St. Paul, and it covers, binds, and sands amazingly)?

Basically what should I do? haha. See Below...










   

[frogpatch]

I would just clean it up and sell it. It appears to just need a little rejuvenation. I could see someone use it as a bar cart with the wheels on. Let someone else decide if they want to paint it. You time and materials is worth money. Chalk paint is expensive. It is hard to find them with good leather.

[mart]

This type mid century furniture does not have the value of some other styles !! Like Frogpatch said,, I would just clean it up and sell it as-is !! When time is money,, your time will be better spent on other pieces !!  Repurposing is a good idea !! Try some Old English dark oil on the wood and clean/condition the leather !! Leave the brass casters alone !! That shows its age !!

[dbendell0711]

Thanks for your advice....however what (in your opinion) would be a fair asking price for it? Like I said, I have not found any information on its value? I feel stuck..

[KC]

Love some of the leather covered pieces!

Ditto what the others said. Look for a leather cleaner/renewal product in the shoe / purse dept of your local store. Polish up the wood with Old English or Formby's etc.

However,  If you have extra paint and think it will bring you more...then paint it.  Also, you have time now and it will help you develop your skills!    (I have leather topped lyre nesting tables I am going to makeover some day and have been searching for awhile about this!)  The chalk painted craze is what is selling in our area now for pieces of this style. (DFW Texas)

PLUS YOU CAN MAKE YOUR OWN CHALK PAINT!!!  Just google it!  Cheaper!

Here's some like yours with a makeover

http://relovedrubbish.blogspot.com/2013/02/leather-topped-table-chalk-paint.html

http://www.songbirdblog.com/2012/03/painted-desk-reveal/

http://primitiveandproper.blogspot.com/2011/06/happy-birthday-to-one-of-my-most.html

http://cheltenhamroad.wordpress.com/2011/07/

http://www.turnstylevogue.com/2013/07/a-side-table-up-do-just-faux-you/

Recommend the sites of Miss Mustard Seed http://missmustardseed.com/2012/07/say-hello-to-typewriter/   and redhenhome.blogspot.com  and
http://www.domesticimperfection.com/2012/05/paisley-stenciled-table/

For fun...if you remove the leather you could do this!  (And keep it!)  http://www.domesticimperfection.com/2012/05/penny-countertop/

[mart]

May I ask what you paid for it ??  It has no actual value other than as a used end table !!  There is no collector base for this type of furniture !! It can be used with many of todays styles though and should blend well with many types of furniture !! You just need to make it salable by either cleaning it as we recommended or painting and refurbishing per KC`s links !!  If you can make a reasonable profit without too much work,, you can say you did well !!  Here in my area of Texas $30. is about what it would bring as-is !!

[frogpatch]

About the same price here in NJ. A bit more in NYC. Maybe 45-50.00