Incredible Antique Stove Board
On Saturday morning, my hubs kept our lil man and I got to go yard sale-ing all. by. myself. Ahhh! I hit about ten yard sales and spent $1.00 – big spender. Ha! Finally, when I was almost through all the sales on my list {yes, I’m a geek and plan my route on Friday nights} I hit a proverbial jackpot.
This beautiful, planky, stamped, “thing” caught my eye and I snatched it up as fast as I possibly could. I think the people running the yard sale thought I was a bit nuts, which I probably am. 🙂 They were firm on the price of $35.00, which is way more than I pay for anything at yard sales, but I only spent a few dollars last week, so it fit perfectly in my yard sale-ing budget! 🙂
When I got home and I started searching online for what exactly I was in love with.
Oh. my. word. y’all.
I discovered that this piece is a very old stove board made by Wabash Screen Door Company in Minneapolis, MN sometime between the late 1800s and 1950. WOW. Stove boards were used under wood burning stoves to protect the floor and to prevent sparks or coals from starting a fire. I wish I could figure out how old this particular stove board is. The No. 6 on it makes me wonder if it’s older. Any ideas?
I searched on Ebay to see if there were any similar stove boards for sale. I almost passed out when I found two, that are smaller than the one I found, selling for $175-$200. {catch me while I faint}
The other side of the stove board, which would have been the part directly under a wood burning stove, is a beautiful, embossed tin. It’s funky and old and discolored. I love it, but I’m pretty sure that I’m going use the planky wood side the most.
I have big plans for my stove board. That sounds so funny to me, so let’s just call it my new, old, fabulous antique, umkay? You will be seeing it worked into my Fall decor and eventually into the master bedroom!
Tip of the day: When you want to give up because you never find anything cool at a yard sale, keep going. Good things come to those who wait…or who keep yard sale-ing. 🙂
Did you find any treasures this weekend?
Linked to: Rhoda’s Thrifty Treasures
That is soooo cool and pretty, and I am very jealous! Great find!!
I found one in my fathers garage
Oh, my! It has wonderful patina to it. I had never heard of a stove board before, but now I’ll be on the lookout for them. Very cool find!
I have a stove board I am selling
That’s beautiful; I don’t know anything about it, but I hope someone chimes in that does! I went garage saling and impulsively bought a gigantic mirror that has NO place in my house and is too heavy to hang (it was a vanity mirror for a dresser). I’m thinking of putting it on the curb. 🙁 I think I was just excited about the kids behaving enough to go to a GS that I bought the first thing that looked halfway cool. Haha. I need GS lessons.
This is such a cool find! I would have NO idea what it was when I saw it, and I would gladly pay full asking price because I’m afraid to barter. 🙂 I can’t wait to see what you do with it!
That is one rich score little miss! It is beautiful and really encourages the mind to wander thinking about who used it, when, where, how long ago…
Fun!
Swooon!! That is gorgeous!! I would have had no idea what is was either!
I sooo need to Yard Sale where you do! Ive not had much luck in my area so far, lol. Love this find! Right up my alley. Can’t wait to see what you do with this.
LUH. SHUSS!!!!!
Way to scoop that sucker up for a sensational price!!!
😀
I tried to go tag-saling this weekend, but most that were advertised were closed cuz of rain here :(. I did score 2 vintage blue mason jars for a buck a piece though! (I plan out my route or friday nights too!)
Wow! Great find! I’d faint too…congratulations!
The yard sales here are not so great…you never find antique things with history to them..
I’m not an expert, but I’m probably older than most of your readers…and I actually grew up in a house that had a coal stove when I was little. It was then converted to oil burning. (OK, I guess that sorta dates me! LOL!) Anyway, my guess is that this board has a later manufacturing date rather than earlier due to the fact that the printing is still so readily visible. Don’t quote me on that though! It could just be that it “survived” a very long and wonderful life 🙂 I’d do more checking with some old timers to see what they know. Nice find!
How cool is that?!?!?!?
Careful what you do with this board. Refinishing or trying to clean it up can “ruin” it as far as the value goes.
Worth every penny you spent. The character of it is beautiful and being so old is even more beautiful! I hope you keep it in it’s original state whatever you do with it, it is just stunning as it is.
When I first read “stove board” I pictured it being used over the stove top to give more counter space. Ha! But then I though what a hassle, why not just use a cutting board? Great find! I love rustic wood.
we picked one of these up at an antique store last year for about $20. we love it and have it hanging in our living room.
Just bought the same pc!!! the only prob is what side to hang out????
I was searching for “stove boards” for ideas on how to hang one on a wall and came across your post. We just bought a home built in 1900 and found a Wabash stove board in our attic. I think they are lovely!
I too found the same board at a yard sale and bought it today. Mine came with an old parlor stove which I have dated to between 1914 and 1920 by the foundry name stamped on it “Beach foundry limited, Ottawa” I we assume that this board has always been with it, then we have a date. My board, with the same pattern and size, has a discernible boarder pattern. It does not say #6 though, and the stamp on it is bigger in diameter. Email me if you would like photos.
I was surfing the internet to find out what I picked up at an antique fair. Now I know! Thank you! I purchased it to be the backing to my new open kitchen shelves being built tomorrow. White bead board was in the original plan, but when I saw this piece leaning against a light pole….. I knew this was ideal!
I was fortunate enough to find a board like yours at the International Antiques Show in Charlotte NC this past week end. Mine is 26 x 32. The medallion is not as bright as yours. The back side of mine is plain, no design at all. I fell in love the minute I saw it. I also paid $35.00.
I just saw your mantel pic on Pinterest and it caught my eye. I have an antique stove board just like this one. Same Wabash Screen Door Company inscription and all. I found mine at an antique thrift shop and fell in love with it!!
I also have a 26×32 Wabash stove board. Mine is number 94 and mine has six boards that run horizontally unlike yours. The back of mine has a round black medallion on the center of the back with a black border patterning the outside; the back is very worn. So excited to see your finds. I found mine in an old barn in southern Minnesota.
I was lucky too, I found my hidden treasure Stove Board partially covered by ivy, I paid $1.00, as in one dollar, for mine! 😉
I just found one at a flea market last night and paid $42 not having a clue about what it was. So glad to find out that it’s a stove board! Mine is 30X30, has #3 on it, and has a beautiful imprint on the tin side. Thanks so much for sharing!!
I have one too, it’s 30×38 No 94.
I seriously found the same thing you did-how weird is that. I don’t know how to attach the picture to this comment theres no icon i even àsked my son to help me. If you can tell me how is live to send thou a picture. ….
Thanks for info. I found one today in an old atic mine is 33×33 also a wsbash but mine says made in Rhinelander Wisconsin. Would Would to find date.
I bought a house built in 1952 and just recently found one of the Wabash Screen Door Company Stove Boards in the garage out back. Can’t believe this find. I am an antique shopper and when I spotted this I knew it had to have not only significant meaning but value. Thanks for helping me realize I have a jewel. Hanging this baby with my other antique finds! Mine is a 26×32, No 94, Walnut, made in Minneapolis, MN. And, I paid $.00. Lucky me huh?
I have a 30×30 and it is no.6. I love the design on mine but I would love to restore it. It has been on the mantle above my wood burning stove so it looks like it is starting to rust and darken. I had a suggestion to clean it with wax. Do you think I should try that??
Ooops, mine is a no.3
I also just found one of these as well. Has anyone found a good way to clean it?