Gerstner or Union?

[Bamacruiser98]

I recently finished a light restore on a Gerstner box and a did a major restore on a destroyed Union box months back. It’s not that I was looking for a Gerstner but one popped up locally for a very fair price just needed a little tlc. I’m going to sell one of the two probably closer to the year’s end but I’m not 100% on which one. I was hoping that someone that has collected these for a long time might know something I don’t to sway my decision. Both are 7 drawers.

UNION CONS- not original handle wrap, 3 cheap aftermarket lid clasps, no key PROS- slightly bigger, seems a little sturdier

GERSTNER CONS- missing mirror, missing two bottom corner pieces, no key, PROS- grain is more attractive, original handle, actual hardware the operates the front door, all original hardware ( I’ll be ordering the two bottom pieces soon) , more popular name so maybe easier to sell.

Thanks for any insight on this. I’ll gladly answer any questions.

 

[RTM]

Most people have no idea of anyone other than Gerstner, so brand recognition will help.

I’ll give you $10 for that other junky old box.

 

[Bob-B]

I think you'd get more for selling the Gerstner because of the name recognition. I do have both makes. Though I bought a Gerstner for myself, I do have soft spot for Union because my dad had 2 Union boxes, 1 of which I still have.. He said they were always less expensive than Gerstner for pretty much the same thing.

 

[Davefr]

I recently finished a light restore on a Gerstner box and a did a major restore on a destroyed Union box months back. It’s not that I was looking for a Gerstner but one popped up locally for a very fair price just needed a little tlc. I’m going to sell one of the two probably closer to the year’s end but I’m not 100% on which one. I was hoping that someone that has collected these for a long time might know something I don’t to sway my decision. Both are 7 drawers.

UNION CONS- not original handle wrap, 3 cheap aftermarket lid clasps, no key PROS- slightly bigger, seems a little sturdier

GERSTNER CONS- missing mirror, missing two bottom corner pieces, no key, PROS- grain is more attractive, original handle, actual hardware the operates the front door, all original hardware ( I’ll be ordering the two bottom pieces soon) , more popular name so maybe easier to sell.

Thanks for any insight on this. I’ll gladly answer any questions.

I prefer Union but it's primarily because I like the ones with ring pulls. Gerstner is better known but just not as unique IMHO. It's probably easier to get replacement parts from Gerstner but they're spendy. It's pretty easy to wrap a leather handle and keys can be made for any lock.

Just keep them both.

 

[Steve from Socal]

Late to the thread,

The Gerstner box is 16~7" wide? That would be more desirable as a jewlery box. The Union chest has a lot of mis-matched hardware. The top/bottom corners should be the same as Gerstner. The Gerstner box will fetch a better price and have a wider customer base