The Thomas Elwyn Federal Inlaid and Figured Mahogany Games Table

This table had been in a storage container for at least three decades before being unwrapped during the process of an estate appraisal. At first glance it can be simply categorized as a card table from the Federal period. Classical design dominates, with inlay taking the place of decorative carving.

Card tables from this period are relatively common and typically sell at auction for under $15,000. This particular example bears the remnants of a paper label on the rear fly rail: “All kinds of / cabinet and chair work / done by / Adam Hains…/ Philadelphia.”

Labels are increasing used by cabinetmakers and retailers in the early 19th century, but it is still an important factor to consider when valuing a piece of furniture. It is now known that Philadelphia cabinetmaker, Adam Hain[e]s (1768-after 1820), worked in the city until 1803 when he moved to Berks, County, Pennsylvania. Furniture labeled by Adam Hains is relatively rare with a small number of labeled pieces known. Most of these objects are owned by museums.

Turning to the quintessential book on Philadelphia furniture, Hornor’s Blue Booki, one piece is related to our table. Pl. 390 illustrates a pier table by another maker, John Nixonii. The central inlaid plaque on this table is very similar to the central plaque on the labeled Hains table. As the Blue Book was published in 1935, it is necessary to look a little further for more current researchiii. Using the American cabinetmaker’s database compiled by the staff of the Maine Antiques Digest (based in Waldoboro, Maine), it appears that no other card table is known to exist in the public domain labeled by Adam Hains (although often card tables were made in pairs). This is another factor to be considered when determining the fair market value.

What about the condition of the table? A cursory glance while still in the storage unit – not an optimal vantage point – revealed that a front leg was broken and repaired, both the front legs had been reinforced, the rear fly rail had been re-glued, and one of the frontal paterae had also been replaced. At some point in the table’s life, the surface had been refinished, but not totally skinned. Condition of an object must be factored in when determining the object’s value.

At this point in the appraisal process, given the poor condition noted in the storage unit, the rarity of the label, and the overall proportion of the table from a “good, better, best viewpoint,” a value in the range of $3 to 5,000.00 would be a fair assessment.

The table was subsequently removed from storage and it could now be examined in natural and raking light. Now visible on the underside of the rear frame was the brand “T. ELWYN”. As a researcher and contributor to Brock Jobe’s massive tome on Portsmouth furniture, the possible identification of the brand was recognizable to me. Turning to the back of the book, indeed, this brand for the former owner of the card table, Thomas Elwyn, was illustratediv. But a Portsmouth, New Hampshire merchant’s brand on a Philadelphia-labeled card table? The thought that the label was added at a later date entered the equation of value. Labels generally add value to a piece of furniture and Philadelphia furniture has historically been valued more by collectors than New Hampshire seacoast items. Just one more factor to consider in the valuation process for this table.

Appraising is an inexact science particularly when dealing with items that are not mass-produced. As illustrated in the text, it can be difficult to value such a table, but the process of research and the consideration of all the factors are essential. Eventually, this table sold at Sotheby’s in New York (Lot 305, Important Americana, January 18–19, 2008) for a staggering $58,000 (includes buyer’s premium). Even the experts in the auction world can be surprised: the original estimate—based on the condition of the piece—was $8,000 to $12,000. But this rare document of a piece of Philadelphia furniture purchased in that city and then moved to Portsmouth, New Hampshire and branded by Thomas Elwyn, determined the value. The estate value is the amount realized at auction plus the buyer’s premium.