Thread: History request -Kauri Pine Cupboard?

Does it say "EUROPEAN LABOUR" or something on the back?
That might be a clue to who made it? or an import/quarantine clearance?

Nice looking piece, my old nana had a similar one with metal mesh squares in the back, I think it was a butter safe type thing, shes 96 now so you can imagine it being in use well into the seventies when I was kid. I think she kept butter and home made jam in it.

good luck
billy

Originally Posted by 8aGoat

I seek any advice from some of the more experienced folk (oldies) on the attached images of a delapidated solid Kauri and Kauri ply cupboard I have started to restore up here in north queensland.
has three shelves, all one piece boards along with top and bottom.

appears to have only had a shelac/french polish finish that has deterioated significantly due to sun and water exposure. vey basic construction and light weight. any tips on the stamp shown on the ply would be appreaciated - did you work in a plywood factory??
in top left hand corner has a pencil marking of 27/5/39? however the 39 is rough almost illegiable guess.
any suggestions on the era or where this stye of utilitarian cupboard was made would be very much apprecaited. has a door- remoed for sanding.
am aiming to either refinish with shelac or Beeswax/orange oil to get te nice deep kauri pine lustre.
look forward to your comments/ advice

I'd say the pencil marking is the date it was made. If it was made in Cairns it would often have a AJ Draper and Co or Svendsons sticker on it somewhere (they were the 2 biggest furniture makers pre-war among others), but not always.

Either of the finishes would be good, or minwax wipe on poly for a tougher finish with our humidity up here..

Marked "European labour" was like a "made in Australia" label. It was an industry thing from between the wars - 20's to 30's when the country was very xenophobic. So its Australian and produced between the 1st and 2nd WW. Ply was the new material and much cheaper than joining boards for the back of a unit. Are the front panels solid or veneered?