HOT ! Antique Blanchard-Hamilton Full Bed (c. 1926, Shelbyville, Indiana)

This exquisite solid wood full-size bed was crafted by the Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Company of Shelbyville, Indiana, circa 1924–1927. A quintessential example of the American Colonial Revival style that defined the 1920s, this piece blends graceful form with enduring craftsmanship — a testament to an era when furniture was built to last generations.

Originally distributed through A.W. Kirkpatrick Furniture in New Holland, Ohio (known today as Kirk’s Furniture, established in 1913), this bed bears its original factory shipping label — a rare survivor that directly ties it to its early-20th-century provenance.

Design & Craftsmanship

This Blanchard-Hamilton bed features:

→ Carved Serpentine Crest Rail: The headboard showcases a gently arched crest with a hand-carved scroll and floral cartouche, typical of the refined Colonial Revival aesthetic of the 1920s.→ Solid Wood Frame: Constructed from walnut and mahogany veneers over a solid hardwood substrate — a mark of quality from Shelbyville’s golden era of furniture manufacturing.→ Rounded Footboard Corners: Softly curved ends and turned front legs add balance and symmetry, softening the substantial form.→ Original Hand-Applied Finish: Retains its warm Nut Brown (NB) tone, consistent with Blanchard-Hamilton’s 1920s finish codes.→ Traditional Hook-Rail Joinery: The side rails attach via mortised steel hooks — a sturdy early-20th-century joinery method still fully functional today.

Dimensions

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  Headboard Height: 54.5\"

  
  


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  Footboard Height: 31.25\"

  
  


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  Overall Width: 57.5\"

  
  


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  Overall Length: 79\"

  
  


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  Fits: Standard full (double) mattress and box spring

  
  

(Measurements are approximate to within ½ inch)

History

Founded in the late 1800s, Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Co. was one of several renowned manufacturers based in Shelbyville, Indiana, a Midwest hub for fine bedroom furniture during the early 20th century. The company was active in trade journals by 1918, producing “dressers and chiffoniers of exceptional craftsmanship” and continued until roughly 1933, when many regional factories succumbed to the Great Depression.

The Colonial Revival movement, which this bed embodies, emerged as America’s response to industrial modernity — reviving the restrained elegance and ornamental restraint of 18th-century furniture while applying new machine precision. The result: timeless, heirloom-quality pieces built with both soul and structure.

Condition

The bed retains its original finish and hardware, with minor surface wear consistent with age and use — including light scuffs and natural patina that attest to nearly a century of history. Structurally sound, with all joinery intact and ready for use or restoration.

Provenance

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  Manufacturer: Blanchard-Hamilton Furniture Co., Shelbyville, Indiana

  
  


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  Pattern No.: 895-Hug-NB

  
  


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  Consignee: A.W. Kirkpatrick Furniture, New Holland, Ohio

  
  


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  Period: American Colonial Revival (1920s)

  
  


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  Estimated Production Date: Circa 1926

  
  

Original manufacturer’s shipping label remains affixed to the inner frame — a rare documentation feature for collectors and historians alike.

Why We Love It

This Blanchard-Hamilton bed captures the best of early American industrial artistry: precision millwork, real wood, and design integrity. Its balanced silhouette and carved detailing make it as relevant in a modern interior as in a period home. A statement of craftsmanship and continuity — a piece that tells its own story.

Details at a Glance

Perfect as a statement bed in a guest room, early-20th-century interior, or vintage-inspired design project. Complements both traditional and eclectic modern décor.