This column first appeared in the June 18, 2011 issue.
Philadelphia may boast of its historical memorabilia, the folks from the Carolinas will tell you of their incredible pottery, West Virginia is known for its glass factories, and some of the most beautiful Mission furniture in the world is to be found in California. But despair not, antique lovers of Indiana. We have something that none of them can claim, for we are the home of the “Hoosier Cabinet.”
The Hoosier Manufacturing Company operated in New Castle from 1898 through 1935. From 1903 forward it manufactured a free-standing, step-back cupboard that featured a porcelain or heavy metal pull out top, large refillable flour bins, tambour doors, a bread drawer and a sifter. This style was so popular that it was quickly copied by several other Indiana furniture companies including Coppes Brothers of Nappanee, the Wilson Cabinet Company of Greencastle, the G I Sellers Company originally located in Kokomo, the McDougall Cabinet Company of Frankfort, and the Campbell Smith Ritchie Company of Lebanon. With the passage of time the cabinets from all of these companies have become collectively referred to as Hoosier Cabinets.
Although Hoosier cabinets were primarily sold in the Midwest, they were available from sales representatives throughout the United States. Exposure in such publications as Ladies Home Journal, Good Housekeeping, and Better Homes and Gardens presented them as a “must have” to the American housewife. In fact, so popular where these “modern cabinets” that in 1910 the Hoosier Manufacturing Company boasted 3,000 dealers nationwide with sales of more than 300,000 cabinets. From 1910 through 1926 their total units sold exceeded four million cabinets, accomplishing a volume in sales that was unheard of at the time.
So what made this new form of kitchen cabinet so popular? It would appear to be a combination of two concepts that were totally new to the American buying public. First was the convenience of the cabinet itself. Prior to the “Hoosier,” kitchens had numerous cabinets and boxes where cooking and baking supplies were stored. Now the homemaker was offered one main storage and work area, which according to its advertising would “cut kitchen work time in half.” Considering the long hours spent canning and preserving food, supplying baked goods for the family, and preparing everyday meals, it is easy to understand why every woman in America wanted one of these cabinets.
In addition to making life easier in the kitchen, the Hoosier Cabinet promised to be easy on the pocketbook. With their “a dollar down and a dollar a week until it’s paid off” marketing scheme, the farm people of the Midwest learned the joys of paying on time. And we all know how well that concept caught on!
Typically, the Hoosier-style cabinet was 40 to 50 inches wide and made of golden oak. It sold in the $50 to $75 range. Painted versions of the cabinet were also available. White was the predominate color, but brightly colored cabinets are also found. The earliest cabinets were offered with a tin work surface. This was replaced in the early 1920s by porcelain for safety reasons. Unlike tin, which could prove toxic during food preparation, porcelain was not only sanitary, but did not stain or scratch easily.
Later models by makers other than The Hoosier Cabinet Company, are sometimes found in a form more likened to a china hutch and were expressly made for dish storage rather than food preparation. Cabinets in their original condition are hard to find, and will commonly have undergone some degree of restoration.
The value of any Hoosier Cabinet is based on condition and originality. Cabinets in poor shape are often found at rural sales for $100 to $200. Those that have undergone major restoration will be found in area antique malls and fall in the $1,000 to $1,500 range. Note, if you are paying $1,500 on up, you should be purchasing a cabinet that is at least 80 percent original.
Beware of cabinets that are offered with their canister and condiment jars. Reproductions of these cabinet accessories abound and new is often passed off as original. One of the best ways to distinguish old from new is the lid. Some sign of wear and discoloration should be present. The glass should be heavy and there are usually air bubbles present. Even the name “Hoosier” or “Sellers” on the name plate does not mean you are looking at an old cabinet. The label many be a reproduction, or it may have been salvaged from an authentic cabinet and placed on a copycat. Do your homework before you shop and always work with a knowledgeable dealer. Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com