What Are the Mersman Table Model Numbers?
Mersman Tables are identified by the four-digit numbers located on the underside of the tabletop. Mersman was a popular furniture manufacturing company for more than a century. Over the years, it manufactured millions of tables and other items.
The company began as a sawmill in the 19th century with several mills in Indiana. J. B. Mersman began manufacturing tables under the Mersman name in about 1876 after relocating his business to Ohio. Later, the company expanded to manufacturing beds and bed parts. His business was so successful that Celina, Ohio, offered money for him to locate a factory there. Soon, he expanded his product line by adding dining and library tables.
One of the Mersman best sellers in the 1920s was called the “Davenport,” which is known as a sofa table. The company listed 139 types of sofa tables in 1928, at prices considered expensive at that time.
His other products included gateleg tables, radio table cabinets, library tables and what were among the first coffee tables.
The tables were manufactured using legs made from the gum tree and the tops were veneered in a number of finishes, including rosewood, birds-eye maple, ebony, Russian oak, brown mahogany and blistered maple.
