Table identification

Maybe he should just drop the pretense that he's in the game to sell antiques, since the prices insure that a table like this will never be sold. Evidently the object is really collecting, not selling.

 

Sounds like he is another one of those people who just wants to show off the fact they have nice things.

 

Yeah, well you know, his store is in Providence RI, lots of wealthy clients i suspect & he's willing to wait to get his price. Still, after 20 years that work stand, outstanding example that it is has actually gone DOWN in value.

 

In looking at your drawer pics, i think the secondary wood is
probably tulip poplar, is that a name stamped on inside of drawer?

 

Yeah, it says Hugh M Ritchie. Nothing to be found in a Google search.

 

Found you a possible match for your Hugh M Ritchie, Jayhawk.

Hugh M Ritchie, age 25, born in Scotland, occupation "joiner", arrived NYC from Glasgow in 1867. In the 1870 Census a man matching this information is found living in Manhattan and working as a carpenter. Several other young, unmarried men in the same dwelling are also listed as carpenters.

In the 1876, 1879, 1882 and 1884 editions of the Utica, New York city directory include Hugh M. Ritchie, variously listed as carpenter, cabinetmaker and furniture manufacturer.

There aren't a whole lot of Hugh Ritchies in the mid-1800's US records and he's the only one I found with both the middle initial M and a furniture making occupation.

 

Nice bit of detective work there.

 

Thanks! We aim to please!

 

BTW I like your motto.

 

I stole it from NPR.

 

WOW!, nice work there Bakers! I think it's him.

 

Looks like it. Have to admit, the guy had some skills.

 

Interesting if it's the same guy who branded your stand. Meanwhile, another scotsman in NYC, Duncan Phyfe, never marked or labeled his furniture some say because of "carpenters conceit". He thought it impossible to replicate his designs or flawless woodworking skills so why bother with putting a label on his furniture? Phyfe was dead wrong on both counts which is why today unless you have a bill of sale or the piece descended from a family member you are left with "attributed to", kind of a sad state of affairs.