Q & A

C.C. of Shilo, Manitoba writes:

Both these pieces were found in Brandon, MB. They have been stripped to the original wood & protected. I was told that the baker's table was sold by Eaton's in 1902. The "hoosier" cabinet seems of the same age. The hoosier does not have any tags or names on it. The back of the top is tongue & groove wood. Any comments or suggestions on how I might do more research on the pieces would be greatly appreciated.

We asked Lindsay Anderson to respond:

The bake table is typical of pieces sold by Eaton's, Sears Roebuck and a host of others from the turn of the 20th Century through the 1940's. This one appears to be a Canadian made piece, with the drawers, legs and case constructed of Ash; the top is most likely Basswood. It appears to be missing one of the pull out chopping boards, its original tin work surface cover and could possibly have had a back board about 18 inches in height with a set of multiple spice drawers across the top of it. The right hand side flour bin looks to be a replacement, as well -- Current market value is between $275.00 and $325.00.

The Hoosier-style cupboard appears to be Canadian made, sold between 1910 and 1950. It most likely was sold under the name Kitchen Aid, made in Eastern Canada possible in the Kitchener, Ontario area. It is missing about 6 inches of its feet, the original door panels all appear to have been replaced with plywood substitutes. The top most likely would have had a pie shelf work area which appears to have been lowered about 8 inches. Top work surface was most likely originally covered with tin.

Current market value $375.00 to $425.00.