Rare American Modern Gothic Walnut and Tile-Mounted Sideboard, in the English Reform Movement style labeled by the Robert Mitchell Furniture Company, St. Louis, third quarter 19th century, the upper structure with peaked crest and one long cross shelf and inset tiles, the deck with inset tiles and a row of three drawers over a bank of drawers flanked by cabinets on each side, the drawer bearing the stenciled label "R. Mitchell Furniture Factory, 38th & ... St. Louis", h. 88", w. 56", d. 26". The firm of Robert Mitchell and Frederick Rammelsberg was started in 1847 in Cincinnati, Ohio. In 1855 they opened a factory in St. Louis. this branch was managed by Robert Mitchell's brother, William. After the death of Frederick Rammelsberg, William Mitchell purchased the Rammelsberg interest in the St. Louis company. In 1864 William sold half of his interest in St. Louis to his brother Robert, making them equal partners. After the Civil War, Robert Mitchell came to New Orleans from Cincinnati and founded the firm of Mitchell, Craig and Company. They took over the retail store of C. Flint and Jones on Royal Street. In addition, a branch was opened at 103 and 105 Camp Street, New Orleans known as the Mitchell and Rammelsberg Furniture Company of New Orleans. The firm exhibited in the Philadelphia Centennial Fair of 1876 and displayed similar pieces of furniture such as those illustrated in the classic etching from "Gems of the Centennial Exhibition", page 141.