Skip to main content

Deluxe 1900 Elwell Kitchen Cabinet with bins and breadboxes

sheilakm
9 years ago
AI Appraisal
Description

I am buying an Elwell Kichen Cabinet from a family member and want to pay a fair price.  Bought in 1900 by my great-grandparents, It was taken in a covered wagon to homestead in the Dakota territories, then to Wisconsin and Kansas. A family member owns it now.  It is almost completely original.  The hutch has crown molding. The hutch has two doors that have each a smaller door to cover most of the hutch space. Under the small doors (always visible)  are three drawers. Behind the small doors are 3 shelves. Behind the main doors (wings in contemporary ads)  are also 2 breadboxes, one on each side.  Each of the doors is about 8 or so inches deep. 

Once the left door/wing is opened, another door opens to reveal 8 cubbies.  Below the interior door, painted white, is a shelf with 2 dowels to hold in contents.

When the right door/wing is opened,  there are several shelves with dowels, a row of 4 metal bin/drawers stamped with the company name, from which white paint has worn and chipped; a row of 2 wooden drawers are below that. The hutch has a sliding bread board that can be pulled out beneath the right door. 

The lower cabinet has a large pull-out baking board  with the cookie sheets that belong there (I am told), as well a smaller baking board above the flour bin. There is a large flour bin on the right, and a small sugar bin on the left with 2 divided drawers above. The center of the cabinet has 2 side-by-side divided drawers above one long drawer (with 2 rolling pins that I am told "go with it"). Below the drawers double doors open to reveal an undivided space. 

A 1x2 board was nailed to the right side many years ago. The flour bin is askew and does not sit properly.  Its wheels are missing. The countertop was covered in vinyl flooring about 30-40 years ago: my grandmother did not like the zinc surface, which is still there.  Hardware is original; paint is worn off.  Part of catch on small doors on hutch is broken. There is a label on the back, not pictured. 

Category American Furniture
Medium Oak I think: an identical one on the internet said quartersawn oak and ash.
Distinguishing marks Elwell Kichen Cabinets
Condition Good
Size and dimensions of this item About 48" wide, about 75" feet tall, 25" inches deep.
Date Period 1900
Weight Very heavy
History Purchased in Minneapolis in 1900 by my great-grandparents, taken to the Dakotas in a covered wagon, and then moved to Wisconsin and Kansas. There are family stories about the sojourn in the Dakotas. My grandmother inherited it when her mother died, and my mother purchased it for $400 in about 1969 (after having it appraised) when her mother downsized, but did not take possession until the early 80s.
Want more from your appraisals?

Upgrade for PDF reports, more daily appraisals, and ad-free experience.

View Plans →
📸 Quick Scan
Garage-Sale Mode Fast appraisals on the go