***THIS ITEM IS SOLD***
Lovely Mahogany Veneered
Tourist Class Stateroom Dresser
From SS IVERNIA of 1955

Items from SS SALONA (ex IVERNIA, FRANCONIA, FEDOR SHALYAPIN)

One Four Door Unit
32 Inches Tall by 21.5 Inches Wide by 16 Inches Deep
With Writing Leaf
All Original Vintage Cunard Fittings and Materials
Mahogany Veneer, Plastic Handles, Bakelite Fiddly Rails
Price: $450.00 USD plus shipping***SOLD***

Top, an illustration of a very spacious Tourist Class cabin in IVERNIA's inaugural brochure from the mid-1950s. Bottom, a brochure photo of a Tourist Class cabin during the ship's FRANCONIA period showing a mahogany-veneered cabin. Peter Knego collection.

These wonderful cabinets went almost immediately after I took delivery of the first two containers. Most of my friends have at least one of these in their homes. I was delighted when the latest container arrived with a new selection of these enduring cabinets.

Right and Left sides. Photo and copyright Peter Knego 2005.

Unfortunately, I have not had the time to "spruce" this up. There are bits of Ukrainian paint that can be easily removed with some acetone and a gentle scraping tool as it is on top of the finish. After this, I would recommend a coat of Tung Oil to restore the silky sheen of this lovely woodwork The top, third, and fourth handles are dark and a little crinkled with age (there is a possibility that I will be acquiring some spares removed from the QUEEN MARY in the 1960s to offer for sale in the near future). The tiny cosmetic pieces on the lower left and right sides of the writing leaf unit are missing. And, of course, there are some minor dings and chips in the veneer from 50 years of hard use. Also, remember these were attached to the bulkhead, so there are no backs and they have sheer compensation built into the black bases (which can be removed and planed if a level top is desired).

Top, with the writing leaf open. Bottom, a close up of the veneer.

All the above disclaimers accounted for, this cabinet is a dream come true for any Cunard lover. They just dont make this wonderful stuff anymore! All the bakelite fiddly rails are intact; the formica top is clean and in excellent condition; and the joinery is that magical John Brown and Company of Clydebank "tongue in groove".

Once these dressers are gone, there will be no more original Cunard furniture available, unless something untoward becomes of the beloved QUEEN MARY. If old Cunard is your thing this may well be your cherished time machine!

I also have a very limited supply of ottomans, and even some punkah louvres from IVERNIA if you want to make the ultimate retro transatlantic space come to life in your home.