I don't know, but here's one tip: don't call it an autopsy table. :)

Apartment Therapy Classifieds??

Guess it wouldn't hurt to *try* Craigslist or Ebay, and if you don't get enough money for it, to move on to some other seller.

You might end up having to go to a middle-to-high-end auction company.

Assuming this isn't a joke (and if it is it is funny) I'd start by actually showing said table in all it's glory.

I'm trying to picture what would make a table uniquely autopsy-esque and the best I can come up with is a height adjustable island bench with channels to contain the gore.

In which case it would make a dandy carving station for an industrial kitchen.

If it looks as cool as you say then I think there would be a market for it on Craigslist... and contrary to Allicat09, I would definately call it an autopsy table (although allicat might've been kidding :) First, you should disclose something like that to the new owners in case they be morally opposed to owning it or something. Second, I think it adds a lot to the uniqueness!

I was also going to suggest an auction company - you can out a price on it that you'd sell it for, and if it doesn't hit that minimum it won't sell and you can try again at the next auction.

i definitely think craigslist is a great option. just see what happens. i would love to see more pictures of this table.

Are you anywhere near New York City? Then go on over to Obscura Antiques & Oddities on 280 E. 10th St. ph ( 212-505-9251 ) They SPECIALIZE in such merchandise as you will see if you check out their website and actually recently sold a 19th century viewing table complete with holes for the ice. The only problem you might encounter is coming back with more stuff than you left with. PS Please tell us how things went, I for one am 'dying' to hear what happened!

"mid-century autopsy table" -- Saarinen? Kagan? Florence Knoll?

Sorry -- but couldn't help myself. I say sell it on ebay, set a reserve amount and give it a fair amount of time. Alas, I think trying to sell this before Halloween would have been preferable, but my guess is that anyone interested in such an unusual piece is not concerned about the season. Good luck.

Heir Antiques in Providence RI. Far from you, but worth a call.

If you weren't so far away I would definitely take it...

can you convert it to a guest bed?

Pennhurst Asylum Haunted House has an antique autopsy table in it. Perhaps a similar attraction or museum might buy it from you ? Or your local goth club for buffet night ??

Craigslist or eBay won't "really do such a sale justice"? give me a break.

Donate it to a local morgue.

Sheez... what else do you keep in your place.

Where do you live?! I'd be all over it, if I had a spot big enough.

I find the same kinds of things you do, and I often find them on craigslist. I would definitely post there and definitely say it's what it is. The majority of people won't be interested (more for the rest of us!), but you'll eventually get people who are.

Anything with "mid-century" attached to it gets through Apartment Therapy.

Yey!

What is it again?!

my question is; where did you get it and how much did you pay? if you pinched it from work you're a sicko and you should dump it away asap. if you bought it at a flea for $60 after haggling, sell it on CL or eBay for $65 and take $60 and consider yourself even. if you paid $1950 after haggling down from $2200 at an stylish "vintage" store than you're an idiot and I hope you are stuck with it. for all of eternity...

Google 'specialty antique sales' or/for 'antique funerary item sales', etc. in your area. Finding group sales ensures more chance of a higher price... they are there for exacty what you have. This is not as uncommon as it sounds.

How about those guys on TV that drive around in their van and buy strange stuff?

http://www.history.com/shows/american-pickers

Find a store that specializes in vintage furniture and architectural salvage.

Salvage One in Chicago has vintage medical furniture, like avocado green dentist chairs, which they have creepily decided to display alongside their salvaged church pews and stained glass. It makes for a very eerie showroom.

If the picture there is accurate, it's probably too mid-century to appeal to most steampunks. I think goths would be a better market. If you're looking for steampunks, there are definitely sellers who post on http://www.thesteampunkempire.com/

This is amazing and if I had the space/cash for such a, I would snap it up in a heartbeat.

Wherever you are and however much money you're asking, I'm sure you'll be able to find another weirdo like me that will beat down your door to get this in their house. Don't discount Craigslist!

try Lushpad.com. perfect online venue for ANY mid-century item.

#1. The fact that you could originally see the beauty in the table is outstanding. Good for you for acquiring it in the first place, for what ever amount you acquired it for (its never a stupid purchase if you truly love the piece, anyone who says that has never truly fallen in love with a piece of furniture and should stop shopping at target for everything, just saying).

#2. I agree with everyone else and try craigslist. I look for antiques/furniture on cl all the time (especially office furniture, I love vintage desks). Just be sure to include in the key word search "Mid-Century" "Antique" "Office" "Table". I think you will find a buyer faster than you can call the coroner. :-)

You need to provide some factual history on the item. You have a period of time, but where is it from? Who manufactured it? That will help you with the sale.

Try and find Kat von D's email...

Donate it to a museum and take the tax savings

Ok that's what I get for asking an incredibly odd question! Thanks for all your suggestions, and my apologies for not having a real photo attached. It's my first time ever trying to post anything here (and for some reason I didn't think it would even make it as a post), but I thought this group would have the best answers.

It's PRE-mid-century... I only referenced it as a time period since I know it was built before or around 1950 since the legs of the table are wood, not metal. If I was going by style I would say Rustic/Insustrial I suppose?

When I say that craigslist wouldn't do justice it's because I've tried but can only reach a limited audience, but I guess I will keep trying! I greatly appreciate all the people who suggested auctions and to smellykelly and Hilton for mentioning specific businesses, though sadly on the opposite side of the country from me (Seattle).

Say what you will, and I know the commentary isn't over yet, but I've already made all the jokes myself! Shockingly enough I hate gore and horror. I just appreciate strange, industrial objects, I guess this one just pushed the envelope.

PS: I've posted photos of the actual table on my flickr, since I know that you are (morbidly) curious.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/limnen/sets/72157625453834274/

And don't worry I neither pinched it from work or paid $1950.

Also, I thought I was posting to SF! Please excuse my massive internet fail. xoxo

I think it looks kind of nice - sort of like a indsutrial farmhouse table. It doesn't actually look over the top (to me) which is good. The rimmed edge seems like it would make it difficult to use as a desk though.

It could be useful as a buffet or table or desk, with the addition of a plate of heavy glass on the top - one could put photos or other flat-ish objects in the empty cavity (no pun intended). Sorry I don't have any specific information on how you can unload it, it actually is a nice piece :)

Why would one want to own a table on which people were, for lack of a nicer term, dissected?

I would think that hipsters in Seattle would be all over it. Hell, I'm not a hipster and if I were in Seattle, *I* would be all over it. That's right up my alley.

don't underestimate ebay, particularly if you list it correctly.

i actually witnessed an ebay bidding war for one a few years ago, but it was 19th century french, with a glass top. I also saw a vintage leather pommel horse sell for $3000 on ebay...again not your everyday item.

i was on the hunt for each after seeing others in pricey antique stores here in san francisco. the autopsy table was in swallowtail, a now defunct store that sold a french glass topped one for (i think) $4-5000. the pommel horse was at battersea and was similarly priced and converted into a bench. there must be quirky antique stores in seattle, no? they'd likely offer you 50% of their sale price on consignment.

my other half nixed the autopsy table for the same emotions/reasons as others have posted above but i loved it as a dining table or kitchen island option, as it was beautiful and industrial. it adjusted from coffee table to dining to counter height, and the top turned to vertical so it could be moved out of the way against a wall or angled for drafting. and it was very easy to clean as it was glass and grooved to a drainage hole.

yes it had dead bodies and blood on it at one point. so what, ever heard of joseph lister or steam cleaning?

good luck with the sale.

What about selling it to a theater/movie/tv props company? There can't be that many pre-1950's autopsy tables around. Just think, the next time you see it could be in some random Dexter flashback...

@healthyhome thanks! going for commission with an antique store is a great idea. i'm sure mine won't fetch quite as pretty of a penny, but it's worth a shot! :)

@dragonphly That is another great option. I will have to take a look at companies up in Vancouver!

@ amy good house: My thoughts exactly! The metal top lifts up too so one could even out the level of the surface. That was my original plan, but it's just a little too big for my apartment! If it doesn't sell as is, I will probably modify it, so it is a fully functioning glass-top desk and try again!

I'd contact Comics Dungeon in Seattle. They might be able to lead in the direction of either buyers or sellers.

http://comicsdungeon.com/default.aspx

Or there's Gothic Rose Antiques in Placerville http://www.gothicroseantiques.com/ (at least it's on the same coast?) they might be able to help you.

Here's one more link that has a list of morbid related retailers. http://www.asylumeclectica.com/asylum/gruesome/index.html#shopping

It's a cool looking table but personally I'm sick to my stomach just thinking about having something in my house that had dead bodies on it.

Good luck. I'm sure you will find someone who will love it as much as if not more than you.

אױ װײ!!!!

wow! I would pay $100 for it. I warn you that is a compliment, I am incredibly cheap. Of course you probably want more than that so I probably can't help. that is such a cool table!

Hi Madeline,
I actually might be interested in your table or know someone else who would be. My husband and I own a funeral home in your state and know most of the other funeral directors in the state. I'm sure that one of them would be interested. Do you want to send me an email with the link to the pictures and what you think you might want to get for the table? Thanks! My email is aviathompson74@gmail.com

wow. you are the coolest poster on AT in ages.
i so wish i lived anywhere near you so i could buy this from you. it would PERFECTLY fit into my home.
keep collecting the strange stuff!

This post makes me way too happy.

If you're in NY you can sell this thing for sure. But it's about determination, and frequent reposting of your ad via craigslist. Eventually the right person will see it.

aww dezemma, thank you! when i woke up this morning and was alerted by a friend that my question made it up, i was a little disheartened by some of the initial responses, but now i'm so glad i put it out there! :)

murphy's i will definitely stay determined now! i'm off to do more detailed research about the manufacturer so i will be more knowledgeable when selling!

are you 100% certain it was used as an autopsy table? i've seen similar metal tables pulled out of old science labs

No thanks! Autposies are usually only done on those who died from nefarious and/or unusual causes, such as some rare and often HIGHLY CONTAGIOUS disease. Bring that into your home and you are bringing in a load of bad karma. Also, anyone who has ever seen and or done an autopsy can tell you that its not like it looks on TV, which is without smell-o-vision. Autopsies are messy affairs and the smell alone will make a grown man faint. Also, who would willingly bring in a table where people, who possibly died of such terrible diseases as tuberculosis, AIDS, various cancers, who were possibly murdered, committed suicide, or were hit by large moving vehicles (a messy body bag, I assure you) laid, exposing their innards, blood and other bodily fluids everywhere (bowel mucus, anyone?) in their home? As old as the table would be, I think that if I were to cut my hand on one of its many steel parts, I would start worrying about contracting HIV, Hep C, Etc Etc, even if those aren't acutally possibilities, if as the poster said, the table is quite old. I would still be worried, as you never know ....

Just adding to the autopsy table love. Big thank you to whoever mentioned Salvage One in Chicago; I'm in the big Chig myself and would ADORE morbid/unusual pieces like this -- I know where I'm headed this weekend!

Hey, fellow Seattle person! I was thinking it might be helpful to give Space Oddity in Ballard a call. They have all kinds of goofy and odd stuff. I know I have seem 1950's medical equipment in there. So try them! Good luck!!

http://www.yelp.com/biz/space-oddity-vintage-furniture-seattle

I'd be interested in buying it and would pay to have it shipped. Is it still available?

Contact antique stores and estate management companies it your area. A company conducting estate sales will often add a few items to a sale from other homes. At the very least, they can direct you to other sources. Or try a vintage shop that sells on consignment. But I wouldn't discount ebay and online classifieds. People sell homes and cars that way. I'm sure its good enough for your table.
~Tanya
dans-le-townhouse.blogspot.com

I seem to already have two embalming tables, would love to have a third. Email or call:
surthrival@yahoo.com or 718-864-3990