Possible Antique Dresser-Not sure!

[tporter17]

My fiance and I have a dresser that has been sitting in our shed for a while and we decided it was time to sell it.  A friend gave it to my fiance and claimed it was from the 18th century.  We have no idea when it was made; the dresser does not say.  It has all four legs, 4 drawers, and once had a mirror.  The mirror was broken last November.  On the back it has a product code "No. 551 MAH D."  it also has the company which is "Ryder Shane and Hyman - Kansas City, MO".  I have tried and tried to find this company online but there is nothing at all to be found.  The only thing I found was a news article that came up with the company's name that was dated 1919.  Here is the article: http://books.google.com/books?id=rm4oAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA87&lpg=PA87&dq=ryder,+shane+hyman+furniture&source=bl&ots=fzC_Zz7kvS&sig=f1wH2ExjSwXtoLTgclTz0TrRF3I&hl=en&ei=eGM3TIHRPM2MnQeN4pjaAw&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=7&ved=0CCoQ6AEwBg#v=onepage&q=ryder%2C%20shane%20hyman%20furniture&f=false  I have searched every antique site I can find with no luck.  All we want to know is if it actually is antique and how much it would be worth.  I have attached a picture.  Any help would be much appreciated.

[talesofthesevenseas]

Well, I found several Google book results for the company, all were records dating to the 1890s. The most detailed was an 1895 court case. I suspect your dresser will date sometime between 1890 and 1920 based on these. Are you sure your friend said 18th century (1700's) and not 19th century? (1800's) The drawer pulls look uniform like they were made on a lathe, which did not become commonplace until the late 19th century. Also if you could post photos of the drawer construction, if there are "dovetails" cut into the sides of the drawers.

[tporter17]

They may have said 18th century thinking 1800's but they probably meant 19th century.  Here are some close up pictures of the drawers and also the legs.

[Sara Finn]

Welcome to the forum, tporter17.

In my region (pacificnorthwest) items like yours , in about the same condition usually are sold, by private sellers, for $80-$150.00.
Since you've got an item missing it's original mirror & pieces of veneer , I think it's worth is right around that price range IMO.
It looks machine-made (hand fitted, though), the veneer looks like mahogany i.e. -551 MAH D (mahogany dresser).

One in original excellent condition,with keys, could fetch $300-$375 around here.

[hosman321]

Totally agree with Sara! If someone wants it to be a beautiful piece of furniture again, it will need refinishing, repair and a new mirror. That takes time and money. I'd say worth about $100 right now. In perfect restored condition, around $250-$300. I am in Washington State. Depends on your area, too. I guess right around 1900-1910.

[KC]

Ditto!

[tporter17]

Thanks for the help everyone!