I rescued this cabinet from a medical school/medical offices in Philadelphia. I am under the impression that it’s a ‘microscope cabinet’ but I can’t remember why I think that now (I’ve had it over 10 years)
it’s really beautiful and in amazing shape, I am hoping someone might have some insight into it? Specifically any forum where I might post it to find someone who would love it and want it. It’s such a specialized piece and I’m afraid it’s wasted in my home.
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I know nothing of this item. Were it mine, I'd list it on Ebay - you tend to get the best price in auctions and of course, whatever is paid is what the market says is fair.
It is nearly identical to the single tall bookcase pictured here, though price is hard to find: https://vermontfurnituredesigns.com/1-door-bookcase-with-glass-door.html Sadly, prices are upon application only, afaics.
I am positive that is a microscope cabinet. Each cubby hole holds one scope of the kind normally found in a teaching lab.
My school had absolutely fantastic microscope cabinets. Solid wood, superb hardware. They would probably cost $5,000 each today.
I doubt eBay would be a good place to sell this. A single piece of large furniture is beaucomp expensive to pack and ship. And, unless the seller knows how to present it, the typical listing won't attract much attention.
Consider a local auction company. The folks that show up there are looking for furniture and if it is nearby to medical school in Philadelphia from whence it was acquired, you might have potential buyers that would have a greater interest. Does it have anything that indicates it was at the Billy Bob's Taxidermy and Dental School on Independence Ave.?
The Vermont Furniture samples referenced by rob_ss are not microscope cabinets, as they do not have the cubby holes.
This cabinet could also be advertised as a display case for artwork. I have a collection of wood turnings that would look absolutely fabulous displayed one per cubby.
Hey thanks so much for your response! I am happy to have someone recognize the piece as a microscope cabinet honestly ;)
I got it from Jefferson Medical College in center city Philadelphia when the basement of the old medical school was being renovated. I now live in Tennessee, though.
I may end up holding on to it - I appreciate the suggestion about artwork display.
Final question for y'all: should I leave it untouched in terms of sanding, staining, (re)finishing? How might that impact value?
If I had 14 more of these at my house I'd buy the case in a heartbeat!!!
Sorry, I couldn't resist.
I’d first try posting to maybe Etsy. Folks who purchase furniture from Etsy often know what they’re looking for and developing the description and pictures would be a good experience which can be gathered by looking at how others have listed/described items. Also, since nice Etsy items like this get picked up by google/edge searches pretty easily, it’s bound to get seen by some doctor or other professional who’s looking to place a period/application appropriate piece like this in their offices.
Just an idea… sure is pretty 🤩
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