American Pilgrim Table

[ghopper1924]

Beautiful!!

[jacon4]

Yeah, it is in a way. Although quite chunky in appearance, there is a charming quality to this furniture. No nails, no machines of any kind, just a straight forward working of trees with simple hand tools into furniture.

[jacon4]

Meanwhile, I am working on this table like a madman however, Skinner is absolutely no help at all. Calling them now and talking with a 20 something year old art history major who is almost as lost as the old woman on that chair thread! It's not her fault really, she has no power or influence at skinner and she doesn't know when additional pics or replies to my inquiry will be available.

Here is my latest research that only me & a high end dealer that is attending this auction know, this table is in Nuttings furniture treasury, plate # 882 , it was in the "Fuessenich" collection when Nutting photographed it in 1928. According to Nutting, the turnings on the legs suggest an earlier period, 1660. The question is and remains, what's the deal on the top & drawer? are they original or not? If not, this table would be in the 1-3k range in todays market, a long way from the sale estimate.

[mart]

Wallace Nutting,, really ??  Same table ??   Did they say anything about additional photos ??  Seems strange that at that price they chose that pic to advertise with !!  It does not help the sale !!

[jacon4]

Yeah, i hear you. No, the person you talk to on phone doesn't know anything. They have an online only americana auction this weekend and still no catalog, guesses they are in panic mode trying to deal with that and get it online.

Yep, same table, i am 99% sure. Skinner doesn't know it was in a famous collectors collection, doesnt know it's in Nuttings book, the list of things Skinner does not know is LARGE!

[mart]

Let me know  when the table is selling !!  This could be interesting !!  You and the dealer are keeping your mouth shut this time aren`t you ??  Or are you thinking about buying this table if  "not original "  ??  Any idea about the maker ??

[jacon4]

Well, people that are into this type of object have done research as well and, if top and drawer are not original, many will drop out because 90% or more of it's value will go POOF! Looks like i am stuck waiting on dealer to make a site visit next week during preview to see where i stand. If everything is "right" on this table, it's gonna go for big dollars, end of story. If things are "wrong" however, i will still be in the running. At this level, no one pays the slightest bit of attention to what an auction house says, everyone already knows, THEY DON'T KNOW! An on site person to person visit with the object is absolutely required.

[KC]

I have to agree, for that expected sell price they aren't being very forthcoming...so I am guessing they may be backtracking and doing a little research themselves.  Otherwise they would have enough pictures to show a splinter on it.

Do like the style! 

I am curious if you are going for this one as well... Inquiring minds want to know! BAM!!

[jacon4]

I have to agree, for that expected sell price they aren't being very forthcoming..

Well, you know, Skinner has been in the game a long time, they know the drill. At this point their main focus is to create BUZZ, get people interested and get them in the door. They have quite a few other early american pieces in this sale, glass, metal, ladies pocketbooks, more furniture, bla bla bla that came from a serious collector. They obviously THINK this table is special and, it maybe but, maybe not too. Sale is still 10 days away, long time in their type biz these days, plenty of time to add pics and reply to inquiries. Besides, they know no one is going to drop 50k on a small table without an in person examination. My only chance is if there are structural issues with the table, like a replaced top for instance however, if it is what skinner thinks it is, then it's gonna go wayyyyyyyyyyyyyyyyy yyyyyyy outa my price range.

Perhaps Skinner could interest you in a 1766 flame stitched ladies pocketbook? BAM!
http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2922M/lots?start=0&display=list&sort_lot=1&view=90

[jacon4]

If Skinner is wrong about this table, look at what a similar form pilgrim table went for 2 years ago that had a replaced top, $1968. Quite a ways from 50k if you know what i mean. Condition matters in old furniture.
http://www.skinnerinc.com/auctions/2712M/lots/1106

[jacon4]

On the other hand, if everything checks out and the table is what Skinner HOPES it is, then the number is going to be big, like this one at Pook a few years ago that went for 25k.
http://www.pookandpook.com/cat/2007-04-21/519

[jacon4]

Alrighty then, just got an email back from skinner, yes, the drawer is side hung. "Yes, the drawer on this table is side hung.

Best,

Chris

So that indicates the drawer is probably original. If the top is as well, this table will go for big numbers.

[ghopper1924]

So: out of your wheelhouse in that case? Please let us know what it goes for, just for curiosity's sake.

[jacon4]

Well, there is still hope, the top but hey, at this point it's looking like this object is the real deal which means, old dad here is dead as a door nail. Yeah, i'll post the number when it's sold, there are several other early american pieces in this sale, early joined stools, that i may take a shot at.

LOL, i forwarded the email to dealer who is going next week for preview, here is the reply back
"THAT'S IT? NO PHOTOS?? Anyway Chris has lied to me in the past...not my favorite person."

HOPE SPRINGS ETERNAL?

[jacon4]

Photo's