Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Ministry, Harrisburg. Registry No. 8795

Hi, I just found this dark green leather, solid wood foot stool.

It is labelled 'Commonwealth of Pennsylvania Department of Labor and Ministry, Harrisburg. Registry No. 8795'

I'm currently enrolled on an upholstery course so wanted to find out if this is 'something special' before I set about repairing it.

Any advice would be great, thank you!

 

nice item......unless you can document where it came from and which famous person used it......i'd say have at it !

 

The PA Dept. of Labor and Industry was established in 1913. The law regarding the affixing of the adhesive "stamp" attached to the federal tag was first passed in 1937 and was later amended (1953 and 1961.)

http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal/server.pt?open=514&objID=552933&mode=2

So your footstool/ottoman does not date earlier than '37 and given the thick dark wood may even date after the 1961 revision. I say that because thick dark pine furniture was very popular in the late '60's when I was first married and buying furniture.

 

It still belongs to PA, take it to Harrisburg and turn it in and I expect they will dismiss all charges.

 

It some how managed to reside itself in Oxford England!

 

I'll bet it has Air Miles !!

 

Looks like a good first upholstery project. I agree that this is not terribly old or valuable. I would say 40s-50s based on styling. If that is real leather and in as good condition as it looks, I would be inclined to try and re-use it and refurbish the innards to make it more usable/presentable.

 

I was thinking just the same, the leather is in perfect condition, no wear at all having just wiped it down clean. Will repair the webbing and refill too! Excited. Thanks

 

Thanks all, I will look into how to bring the wood back to a smooth and shiny finish also. Will post the final product!

 

I opened that link to the law and decided to read it later, some time when I'm trying to fall asleep!

 

Hi,
Being born and raised in PA. I thought all of these "official" stamps and rules where for the welfare of the citizens. WRONG it seems that PA had the laxest rules and regulations. So everyone who manufactured something used the PA stamps to get away with murder. It kept their manufacturing costs low. Now you know why there are so many PA stamps on stuff.
greg