Furniture Table

Q:I have a side table that belonged to my parents. There’s a plaque inside the drawer that says, “This is to certify that this ‘Old Ironsides’ table is one of a limited edition made by Berkey & Gay Furniture Co. with an inlaid American Eagle hand-carved of pine timber from the [lower] deck of the famous U.S. Frigate Constitution ‘Old Ironside’ launched in 1797, victor over the Guerriere in 1812, reconditioned at the Boston Navy Yard 1929, documentary proof on file in the archives of the company Berkey & Gay Furniture Co., division of Simmons Co.” What can you tell me about my table?

A:Old Ironsides, otherwise known as the U.S.S. Constitution, was restored in Boston Harbor in 1929. Berkey & Gay, a furniture manufacturer in Grand Rapids, Mich., bought wood that was discarded during the rehab job and used it to make carved eagles for the drawer fronts of about 100 tables. The carved and inlaid eagle is the only wood in the desk that’s from the frigate. Berkey & Gay, founded in 1866, became a division of Simmons Co. (more famous for its beds) in 1929. Berkey & Gay declared bankruptcy in 1931, but reopened in 1935 and remained in business until 1948. The company’s “Old Ironsides” tables sell for about $1,000 each if in excellent condition.