(Item 12)

This Isaac Taylor is the architectural centerpiece that would tie an entire 19th-century billiard room together. This rack represents the absolute height of Victorian-era craftsmanship.

Isaac Taylor was a renowned Chicago-based maker of billiard furniture, active during the “Golden Age.” His pieces are often grouped with the legendary Brunswick-Balke-Collender line, but Taylor’s work frequently featured more intricate, “furniture-grade” woodcarving and inlay.

Why this Model is Significant

This was not a standard “house” rack; it was a luxury piece of cabinetry. Its features are a checklist of high-end Victorian design:

  • The Spindled Top Crown: This “gallery” or “cresting” at the top was a hallmark of the Eastlake and Renaissance Revival styles. It gave the rack a regal presence, making it look more like a fine armoire than a piece of sporting equipment.

  • The Locking Lower Door: This is a crucial detail for collectors. This compartment was used to store high-end custom cues (like your Rambow) or expensive ivory billiard ball sets. In a 1870s parlor, “locking up” was a sign of a premium establishment or a wealthy private home.

  • The Original Label: This is the most important factor for valuation. An intact Isaac Taylor paper or brass label exponentially increases the “provenance” of the piece. Without it, a rack can be attributed to a maker, but with it, it is verified.

  • Inlays: Taylor was known for using contrasting woods—often bird’s-eye maple, mahogany, or walnut—to create geometric or floral patterns that catch the light.

Collector’s Insight: The “Pick Up/Freight” Reality

At 71″ tall and 35″ wide, this is a massive piece of furniture.

  • Shipping: Because of the delicate spindle work and the age of the wood (which can be brittle), “White Glove” shipping is usually required. Crating a piece this size often costs $400–$800 alone, which is why “Pick Up Only”

  • Please email for price.