Looking Back: The Declaration Collection
Posted on July 17, 2010 by brandaid in Fashion and Design
In the late 1950’s, Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart partnered with Drexel Heritage to design Declaration, a modern collection in natural walnut. These pieces are considered classics today and usually can be found on the typical sites online such as eBay and Craigslist. Of course those of us who love the thrill of the hunt have much more fun scouring thrift shops, antique stores and auctions.
I thought it would be fun to show share some photos of the collection in an “original” setting, as well as some of the vintage catalog pages. If you have any Declaration pieces in your home or remember them in your parents’ or grand-parent’s homes, we would love to hear from you.
Enjoy!
I grew up with Drexel Declaration. We had the dining room table, the curved back chairs with the little diamond inlay, ( to reflect the shaker boxes) a low, roundish cocktail table, the long bench table, and possible a couple of chairs, but I don’t have them. I have all the above pieces, as well as two “party chairs” that you see in the catalog. Unfortunately the stepmother claimed ownership of the long bench, was too ignorant to know what it was, ruined it, and who knows where it went. I was able to find another in 2009, but it needs work.
Several years ago we were lucky to find a set of Declaration being sold 5 doors down from us. We have a credenza, china hutch, side table, and dining room table (w/ 2 extensions) and 4 side chairs. We have since added a tall chest and a night stand and are looking for more. We would love to have 2 arm chairs and another night stand!
I am going to have our Long Bench Coffee table refinished, but I need information on the correct colour. The previous owners must have tried to refinish it, and the veneer is a basic dark walnut which does not match the solid wood edges and legs, nor the rest of the collecion, such as the dining table chairs and round coffee table. I think “Early American” by Minwax matches. Does anyone have any experience matching the colour, and can direct me to what they used?
Corinne,
Thanks for your question. We don’t have experience using Early American and have found it can be difficult to match the finish of a vintage collection. Instead of looking for a matching finish, try complementing your collection with a different finish. It will create a really nice contrast in your room!
I am interested in finding a round ended dining table from this collection. Does anyone know if the top and edges are veneered or solid wood?
Thanks!
I have a chest from Drexel it belonged to my Grandparents I can’t find a date of manufactured I was wondering if you might be able to give me this info.
Thanks Risha
I just bought the magazine table with the pull outs for $7.99!
Beautiful condition. One knob missing.
I have some dining room pieces in my home now! They were my parents, I remember we traveled from the Atlanta area to High Point, NC to buy them in about 1961 I think, had them delivered. Glass doored china cabinet, buffet cabinet, with the porcelin pulls, the drop leaf extension table with 3 side chairs and one arm chair.
I just purchased the Declaration corner table 881-341 at a barn sale.. For 5 dollars! It is so beautiful and is in good condition. It is dirty and needs to be cleaned. How do I safely clean the cane shelf. Also. What kind of wood is this table made of? Thank you in advance for any info you can provide.
Hi Joni! Congrats on getting such a steal on a classic Drexel Heritage piece! Since the Declaration Collection was manufactured in the late 1950s, the condition of the wood can vary depending on how it was cared for by previous owners. Your safest option is to visit a local antique store and ask the owner for his or her cleaning advice. Hope this helps!
Hi – just saw this as I was researching my dining room set. My parents purchased the 40″x60″ rectangle table with the two leaves, 5 chairs, 1 captains chair, the credenza, and the china cabinet shortly after they got married in 1975. I believe they bought them at a garage sale. All the pieces have working lights, original glass, and original hardware. I inherited them after I got married in 2001. They have been in my home my entire life.
I bought the Drexel Declaration buffet a a thrift store for $16. It has the original porcelin pulls and light inside. Someone white washed it and I would love to get it back to its original finish, Any Ideas?