Ransom? ish

I came across this piece while browsing Cottone Auctions (Rochester, NY) site. 

Fancy carved oak hall seat
6'6" high X 3'6" wide

SOLD $3,100



Merklen?  Did Ransom work with Merklen?  Anyway, it's a pretty amazing piece!

Saw that piece and I wanted it.  I would say it's Merklen and yes Ransom worked with Merklen, but we'll wait for Paul to chime in as he'll have the best take on this.

Somehow I missed this when it was first posted last December.  I have now posted an ad from the American Cabinetmaker and Upholsterer that has this Merklen hallstand on my picasaweb album:

http://picasaweb.google.com/myransom/MerklenHallseat#5245111816098872002 

Note that the ad refers to Ransom's Moorish Fretwork patent of Sept. 15, 1885.  By the way next Monday is Moorish Fretwork day!

I thought there might be some interest in this article describing Valentine Merklen's patent for a machine for turning wooden spirals:

Recent Wood-Working Machinery Patents

From :

Title: Manufacturer and builder / Volume 18, Issue 6
Publisher: Western and Company Publication Date: June 1886
City: New York Pages: 294 page images in vol.