Ragsdale
Home Furnishings
Ragsdale
Home Furnishings
4352 Doncaster Ave. Holt, Michigan 48842 (517) 579-8952
FAQ
(Frequently Asked Questions)
Can you help me identify and value my vintage Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture?
Many people assume that when we acquired Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture, we also acquired the old company's buildings, tools, patterns, samples, archives, spare parts, etc. This is not the case. In fact, the unfortunate truth is that virtually none of this seems to have survived. The old factory in Grand Rapids, Michigan, while still in existence at the corner of Front Street and Butterworth, is now abandoned. The factory which was in Holland was simply demolished and later converted to a nursing home and offices which are now called Freedom Village. Tools, spare parts and other usable materiel were auctioned more than eighty years ago, patterns and tooling appear to have been discarded, and most records from the old company were either destroyed or have passed into private hands. Consequently much information appears to have been lost.
What information we have available is presented here in the hope it will prove useful. However our ability to answer these types of questions is limited, as our focus is on manufacturing new products for today's furniture buyers. Your understanding is appreciated.
Values:
Although we are not in the antiques or collectibles business, we can sometimes help people identify vintage pieces. However, certain guidelines must be followed.
We cannot identify anything from a verbal description. If you would like us to attempt to identify your furniture please e-mail a picture (JPEGs only) to newcrafters@Limberts.com.
Because of great variations in value from region to region, we cannot attempt to place a value on your furniture. The best way to find out what your furniture is worth is to visit local vintage dealers or to buy the book Warman’s Arts and Crafts Furniture Modern Furniture: Identification and Price Guide, by Mark F. Moran Roger Rouland, published by Krause Publications 700 E. State Street Iola , Wisconsin 54990 Phone-(715) 445-2214
Are you using the same branded mark as the original Limbert’s Furniture
No, and we believe to do so would be fraudulent. We are using a paper label with the “planes and hammers” mark. And many of the old Ragsdale Home Furnishings pieces had a branded “Ragsdale” mark or no mark at all. The old Limbert Furniture will almost always have a “Limbert’s” Holland Dutch Arts and Crafts Logo branded into the wood. With a fairly experienced eye it is easy to tell the old pieces from the new.
Old Logo New Logo 2004 -2008
Does that fact that Limbert’s is producing new furniture devalue my antique? On the contrary we feel that the gaining popularity of Limbert’s furniture only increases the value of the real antiques that are out there. Real original pieces are hard to find and are highly coveted by antique collectors.
What wood is the new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture made from?
New Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture, like old Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture, is made from solid quarter sawn white oak. Some original Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture was made from ash, but we don’t use it anymore except for special orders, we have used cherry in many designs because many people have recently asked for it.
Is the new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture oak the same wood as the old?
Yes. However, you cannot find many boards as wide as they had in the early 1900’s mainly due to the fact that clear-cut logging techniques used by farmers in 1900 removed many of Michigan’s huge oaks which could grow to be 300 years old.
Where do you get the wood?
Oak for Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture comes from professionally-managed, environmentally responsible tree farms in Michigan and Indiana. Oak is not an endangered species, and at least one tree is planted for every one taken.
Is the new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture made of solid wood? Any veneer, particle board, or plywood?
All new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture is made from 100% solid wood (white oak, or Cherry). No veneer is used anywhere.
Where is the furniture made?
New Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture is made in Holt Michigan.
What finish is available for new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture? Does it match the original finishes?
New Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture is offered in a finish called “Dark Mission Brown” which match Limbert’s original “Number 8 Nut Brown Fumed Finish”. This is a special finish we have developed from a known original Limbert factory recipe. The color is very close if not identical to the color in vintage Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture.
Many people have also refinished their original pieces to match old Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture, so if you have refinished vintage pieces, they will usually match well with Dark Mission Brown.
Are original Number 8 Nut Brown Fumed finishes available?
We make our own Danish oil here, but we cannot give out the formula, and at this time we do not sell the stain itself.
Is the new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture finish the same chemical compound as the original finish?
Yes, we believe so. Although we will never be absolutely sure because no surviving engineers from the Limbert Company were available to vouch for the exact technique used in day to day furniture operations enough literature has survived to recreate the formulas of both the stain and lacquer. Originally Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture was finished in nitrocellulose lacquer.
Are new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture pieces hand rubbed as the old ones were?
Yes, many of our pieces are finished this way, to include table tops, tops of bedroom pieces, etc.
Can I buy new Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture furniture without a finish on it?
Under certain circumstances we can offer Limbert’s Arts and Crafts Furniture unfinished so that those who wish to match a particular finish may do so. Some restrictions apply; please phone (517) 579-8952 for details.