if it's helpful, I just bought the desk from this Drexel line for $350 including the chair. It was craigslist not a dealer, and it's in excellent condition.

I have no idea what something like this would cost, but it looks like a pretty unique, retro piece - I'd hold onto it. :) Or I'd want to buy it...haha sorry I couldn't be more helpful.

How much you'll get for it (assuming you are selling via Craigslist) definitely depends a lot on what city you live in. I don't know much about Drexel, but as a frequent gawker of Craigslist, I don't think I've ever seen anything Drexel go for more than $350-400.

I'm scratching my head, Cass. What's the motivation for selling it? No good place for it in your current residence? Don't like it so much anymore? Need the scratch?

I'd just keep it and cut the top off, it would be nicer without the top.

It's a gorgeous piece, and you might regret selling it.

It's gorgeous. I agree with @Trueleey that it would look better without the top.

I agree with taking the hutch off. Not using it for a TV stand and giving it a good oil treatment. Well made pieces from the USA are expensive to purchase new. I can always find a place for a piece like this- hallway, bedroom, office, near stair landing, etc..put a nice mirror or art up, put a nice lamp and some accessories and flowers give it a new purpose.

Use Howards Orange Oil it does wonders, I keep my george nelson pieces looking new with this.

I love the hutch, but would lose the TV. Well, I don't mind the TV, just not on that piece of furniture. But I'm all about letting go of things that don't work for you, even if they're lovely. So: sell it to me!

Here's something similar in the SF Bay Area, sans the top:

http://sfbay.craigslist.org/pen/fuo/2813222283.html

Keep it!!!
(Damn...if I were near you...I would buy it!!!)

Ditto on cutting the top off...I would then screw some coasters on the back of the top you cut off and use it for cool rolling under bed/ sofa storage.

If you cut the top off, you'll be ruining a classic piece of furniture and wrecking any value it currently has. If it doesn't meet your needs now - sell it. Then, buy something else that works for you and seems beautiful. Furniture is supposed to be functional.

I'm with William Morris: have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful or believe to be beautiful.

At least I think it was William Morris.

Keep it! A fresh coat of paint and some new knobs might be just what it needs.

People often sell pieces like this on Etsy, Ebay and/or Craigslist. I suggest you look around on those sites for similar pieces for price ideas. If you are willing to ship it to someone, you can auction it on Ebay (Set a minimum reserve price, then sell it to the highest bidder.) Buyers typically pay shipping costs as well. Of course, as a potential buyer, I'd rather you not do all of that and just sell it for a nice low price. : )

Agree with the others - from what I see on Craigslist this would go for about $350-$400. I also see them online at 2nd hand store websides like this one:

http://www.guffonline.com/zenphoto/furniture/

For me,if it was not a sentimental piece and I had no use for it, I'd sell. You can always pick something similar if you change your mind. These pieces are easy to find.

If you would regret not getting as much as you think it's worth, and if you have somewhere to use or store it safely, keep it. This is first-hand knowledge. I had a rosewood credenza I loved, but I thought it was a little clunky so I swapped it for something that I got rid of a few months later. I miss my credenza!!!

If you think you'll regret something, you will. Trust your instincts.

Is it one piece or can you take the top hutch part off and just use the base in a new location? It would look great as a buffet or as a console in a hallway, or a dresser in a bedroom...

If you're going to hack off the top and paint it as some suggest, I would sell it now, before mid-century becomes yesterday's news, and get something you really want with the money! It's nice, by the way...but I'm with Dulcibella and William Morris.

My first thought was to keep it. It's actually a very nice piece. I'm not familiar with this brand but if it is made of wood, you may regret it. I don't agree in painting it...I think you'll ruin it.
But I do agree with most that IF the hutch comes off, that may be a better option. And as someone else stated, if you really don't love it, then let it go to someone who will. Best of luck.

It is a very nice piece, but I believe if you cut or paint it, it will loose all value on the market. But if painting and cutting makes it more useful to you and you'll then want to keep it , go for it.

I think this would be worth keeping as versatile storage and display piece that could work in many styles over time, but it doesn't work at a media center. If you only have room for this as a media center you should sell it and buy something more appropriate to hold your tv and attendant devices.

It might be possible to hack this into a decent media cabinet (replace drawers with shelves that have glass or cut tin windowed doors, make the top just a flat wood panel surface with a hole for cables to mount your tv on or put a low shelf all the way across for the tv to sit on, etc.) but, to me, it is such a pretty piece it would be a better end if it were to go to someone who would be able to use it for what it was made for.

If you can find a place for it and use it I would put mirrors in the back of the top section to make it less dark (a local glass shop can custom cut the right sizes), or display art in there.

ssdmmf: casters

Thats a sweet little piece of Drexel from the Declaration line designed by Kipp Stewart, its an early model from the handles -- the date should be encrypted on the back -- look for a 5 or 6 with numbers before and after and that will be the manufacture date -- 1057 would be made in Oct 57. A matching sideboard just sold for 450.00 on ebay, I would assume the buffet would be worth a little more.

If you're gonna use it as a media stand I agree with the others - it would look a lot better without the hutch, assuming that could be removed without destroying the piece.

Otherwise, I'd sell it. Give it to someone who'll hopefully love it.

Do not cut it up! I work at a store in Louisville, KY that sells mid-century modern furniture and your piece is amazing. We have a Drexel Dining Set, Buffet, Man's Chest, and Small Side Cabinet. Your Drexel Buffet is fabulous and looks to be in great condition. MCM furniture has only grown in demand during the last decade. I would definitely do more research on the particular piece and do some price comparisons. Maybe even contact MCM dealers to get quotes on what they would buy it and sell it for.

Definitely do not cut off the top! It's such a beautiful piece. It would look great with some nice vases, bowls, and little knick knacks (pretty ones, nothing junky). I live in NY and often see pieces like this on Craigslist for over $700. Depending on where you live, you can probably get a lot more than $400 for it.

I'm with CNLOGGIE. I would find some nearby furniture stores that specialize in vintage or MCM pieces and get quotes.

I work near several such stores in Chicago (like Post 27, Urban Remains, Salvage One), and I feel like they're always looking for good, original pieces that haven't been altered. If you think there's a market for this piece because of its name and history, it seems like a shame to lop off part of it.

I have a Drexel Declaration china hutch with glass doors and (working) interior lights with milk glass shelves. It's in pristine condition and I paid $700 for it a little over 2 years ago. Since yours also has the porcelain knobs, I would reckon it might also be from the Declaration line. Sell it. ABSOLUTELY don't cut off the top!!!!

You should be able to get $400 for it, though that would mean that someone who really wants it would be looking at the same time you're selling it. If I were you, I would probably try ebay, and make the buyer sort out freight.

If you like it and have a use for it, keep it. If you don't like it (I don't CARE what it's worth) I would sell it, hoping to get a reasonable price for it. If you don't want to keep it, I definitely wouldn't modify it, since obviously lots of people here think it's nice as it is.

I guess I don't understand why you would think about getting rid of it but ask here if you should keep it -- unless you hoard furniture for resale investment or something.

Keep it as is! It's unique and lovely. Don't paint or modify it in any way!