Antique wooden shelf from the 1880s

Hi all. Found this neat piece and would like to hear your thoughts on it, including value. Is fretwork the right term for the carving style?

The label appears to have "William N. Gruever Hillside Ave Newton NJ" on it. Next to the label is a name written in cursive (possibly his--I can't make it out) and what looks like "March 1880." If the craftsman were the same fellow as the one in the attached census info, he would have been 23 years old when he made this. Pretty cool! Too bad about the damage.

 

Too many extra pictures, dude, but a very cute "shelf." I don't know what "fretwork" applies to on this piece.

 

"Fretwork" usually applies to the way interlaced shapes were cut out with a scroll saw, coping saw, etc. Not sure about the carving part though

 

Your pictures had several duplicates. We comment about duplicates (and triplicates too ) all the time.

 

Didn't see them as duplicates as there are different angles/magnifications, and none of the jpegs have the same numbers. Also, just 8 pics, but I guess the same basic areas showing in a few. Noted. Thx.

 

At one time may have been a folding wall shelf unit but looks like some of the pieces are broken and someone added newer brass hinges to make it "work" again.

 

stylized crosiers perhaps.


what building was there at the given address ?

 

These are fairly common. I have three. With the damage, probably not going to be worth as much, but probably $20-$25. That seems to be a median price right now. Do a search for Victorian Folding Shelf.