Vintage Drexel Declaration furniture – Catherine sends us a gorgeous brochure

by Pam Kueber on June 11, 2008

Following the “original” Drexel post (where we also met Troy of Troyland), the wonderful Catherine kindly scanned some precious vintage Drexel advertising to share with other readers. She says:

Here is one of my Drexel Declaration ads that was in the drawer of the dresser that I bought from my Great Grandmother. She had marked the ones that were “mine” and even wrote the price next to our Catkin bed – $79!!! I just love the living/dining room scene!! Wish I could find that living room set. Anyway, hope you enjoy! – Catherine

Catherine, did you say “Catkin”? That bed was surely destined for you! And from your Great Grandmother, no less! Thank you so much, this Drexel furniture is AWESOME! More posts on it to come – the original post inspired some other content, including a reader purchase!

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Retro Renovation » Let’s help Catherine retro-renovate her 1948 Ohio ranch
June 26, 2008 at 8:00 am

{ 16 comments… read them below or add one }

troysf June 11, 2008 at 5:39 pm

Thanks for sharing! The photos don’t do justice to the beauty of the walnut — rich, warm, with gorgeous grain. Nice to see the original upholstery on the dining chairs (my set has been recently reupholstered in oh-so-dull beige). Looking forward to more!

Femme1 June 11, 2008 at 10:03 pm

OK, Pam, I have to admit. Sometimes when you’ve recommended adding a bit of a colonial touch to modern, I’ve had an instantaneous gut reaction. Something like “Arrrgghghghg, no!” This reaction I attribute to growing up in an Early American/Colonial-saturated home. You know…the butter-churn-as-magazine-rack decor that we’ve poked fun at before.

But these Drexel ads made me pause and go, “Hey, now I see her point.” Their take on Colonial chairs is really refreshing. In the upper photo, the two “catkin?” chairs on either side of the modern hutch fit in perfectly. And I love those two barrel-type chairs at the little round table in the bottom picture, especially juxtaposed with the very Danish-modern upholstered cantilevered couch and chair. The use of classic walnut is a nice touch, but I think the light touch of Colonial design is what makes this furniture palatable to me. It’s Early American light and airy, not the heavy stuff that I grew up with. The pewter jug lamp actually works with the classic statue on the coffee table. And the framed geese painting is an interesting modern take on a very “colonial” bird.

I like it!! I actually like it! I can’t wait for my Drexel dining table and chairs to arrive (looks like sometime next week).

iluvretro June 12, 2008 at 6:49 am

Is it just me or do they have what looks like an orange tree in their living room?

Femme1 July 28, 2008 at 3:50 pm

If anyone has a brochure or is aware of a Web site about Drexel’s Profile line, please post it here. I recently received my Profile dining table and chairs, and would love to find more pieces. I’ll send Pam some photos soon!

bleu_cheese August 25, 2008 at 5:46 pm

Oh my gosh, I’m so glad I found your blog! I was trying to figure out what my dining table and chairs are, the table stamp underneath says 851-310-36 TABLE BY DREXEL. Well, I didn’t get any hits on google with that search, but somehow found your site and, voila! this is my dining set. I love it but being somewhat of a vintage modern noob, I am not sure what kind of wood it is or how to care for it. Anyone know?

catherine August 26, 2008 at 12:03 pm

I believe it is walnut.

nelson October 13, 2008 at 6:48 pm

I have inherited a large matching set of this furniture and was looking for a buyer or an appraiser. I have the chinacabinet, king bed, two dressers, dining table, and 6 chairs. All in excellent shape. It just doesn’t go with the 1920’s farm house.
jeff.neljmar@gmail.com

Mid Mod Pam October 13, 2008 at 7:58 pm

Hey all: Jeff with the Drexel furniture is in: Nashville.

Christine December 10, 2008 at 6:23 am

I have a China Cabinet #851-420-4, the glass doors are missing and not sure about lighting it mentions in the brochure. Any idea how much it’s worth. Am considering selling at my father’s estate sale. Otherwise it’s in great condition.

Thanks.

Anne Pearson May 29, 2009 at 7:26 am

I have a Drexel Profile dining room table ( with leaves and table pads) and 4 chairs. Also a double headboard. I have the original brochure from 1956. The wood is walnut. It is very well made furniture.

Jill Long June 15, 2009 at 7:06 pm

I have a buffet and table and chairs stamped Drexel, tempo. Do you know what wood it is. I know that it is a veneer and would love to refinish it. What is the best way to refinish it? I would like to stain it too, what products are the best
Jill

pam kueber June 16, 2009 at 2:01 am

Hi Jill. I approved your comment – but only to clarify for you (and other new readers) that this site focuses on aesthetics, vintage inspiration and the social-domestic history that led to our houses — but, it’s not a DIY site. On occasion we do post things about basic cleaning and polishing…but for anything more extensive than that I’ll point you to other sites or to professionals. I am guessing there are quite a few out there that can help you with furniture refinishing. Good luck!

Bev Sayre July 13, 2009 at 8:43 pm

I have a night table with the inscription:
K26-2 N,S. Profile by Drexel
Can you tell me when it was manufactured

pam kueber July 14, 2009 at 4:03 am

Hi Bev, this is not my area of expertise. I suggest you call Drexel customer service…good luck.

Anniebean November 15, 2009 at 12:48 pm

I have the Declaration dining set (or most of it) that Inherited from my mother. China cabinet, buffet, side table, dining table and 8 chairs. My sister has some of the other pieces; round coffee table and bench. Any ideas of what it’s worth????

Rita C. Frischer November 16, 2009 at 11:36 pm

This is a great site I found while trying to track down the collection name of our mid-century dining room china cabinet…and there it is in the top picture: Declaration. We love it but the push-to-release hook latch on one of the cabinet doors is broken and we can’t get the door open once it’s closed. No latch like this to be found in hardware stores, apparently, and I’m hoping someone can advise me of a source..

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