The Rose

Grandma’s Antique Myers-Spalti Dresser

As a child, I’d sleep on the floor of my grandmother’s bedroom when stayed overnight and would stare up at what seemed like an enormous dresser. Its shadow standing guard over me at night and then watch as my grandpa would take his undershirt out of the top drawer and as he got his clothes ready to wear the next morning. This is my memory of the only piece of furniture that I have inherited from my grandmother. It is now in terrible condition after suffering years of mistreatment at the hands of children before it came to me. I’d like to bring it back to life one day, but today we’ll peek into the history of its making.

Period: Early 1900’s -1950

Picture a bustling industrial district in Houston, Texas’ 2nd Ward area. Railroads, Buffalo Bayou and waterways allowed for goods to be shipped in and out of this busy area. In 1904, the Lottman brothers, sold the property to H. F. Spalti, VP of Olive & Myers Manufacturing Co. of Dallas. This was the beginning of the Myers-Spalti manufacturing company. They would go on the build as many as four warehouses by 1909 and added additional structures by 1920, including printing and management offices. They did their own millwork and manufactured furniture and cabinetry. According to many historical websites, the Myers-Spalti manufacturing plant was one of the largest furniture makers of their time. The site of one of their first plant even has a historical marker given by the Texas Historical Commission on 09/27/2014. The company moved operations in the 1950’s and according to the Texas Secretary of State website, likely dissolved its operations in August of 1955. In 1959, the well-known Curtis Mathes purchased a large interest in the Myers-Spalti created a new company called Curtis Mathes Manufacturing Company. Enter the era of the big console radios & TV’s, combining the sound furniture making operations of Myers-Spalti with the technology of Curtis Mathes. The rest is history.

Details & Value

The sticker on the back reads “Made By Myers-Spalti MFG. CO., Houston TX and I can just make out the pattern number to be 3422. My research tells me it’s probably made of walnut and during the period of 1920’s-1950’s. I have seen the brand in estate and online sales, so I don’t think it’s neither rare nor in demand. However, having looked at one of their pieces personally, I feel it is solid and well-made. The joinery: dovetails and mortise & tenon. There appear to be veneers on the top and drawers, which may make restoration more complicated. With the beautifully turned legs and a delicate rose inlay make on the top drawer, this dresser would be a beautiful, delicate eyecatcher in any bedroom. As far as the value, it’s difficult to determine because this particular piece needs a lot of work. For me, the memories it evokes make it priceless.

Talk to me…

Do you have a Myers-Spalti piece? Or a similar piece of the same era? Have you done a restoration of an old piece of furniture in poor condition? Comment below. I’d love to see them.

https://www.curtis-mathes.com/curtis-mathes-history

https://historicalmarkerproject.com/markers/HM16OQ_myers-spalti-manufacturing-plant_Houston-TX.html.