What's it worth? Appraisal of antique porcelain bathtub

Dave asks:

Hey Wally,

Please appraise refinished porcelain tub. Dimensions,  55”L , 30” W, 22”H.  Wally does this tub have  cast iron component or is it solid porcelain? Should be around 100 years old.

AW says: Hey Dave, these old tubs came both ways, but your’s appears to be solid porcelain, I say this for two reasons: first, every porcelain bath tub that was coated over cast iron which I’ve ever seen, had two distinct characteristics. One being that a curled semil hollow top edge would have bare cast iron on the underside of that ege.

And nearly every one no matter how completely refinished, has some evidence of iron/rust especially on the inner ring of the outlet. 

In other words, if this were only porcelain coated, there would be evidence of the cast iron somewhere. If you’ still have any doubt, jack it up, and look at the botton. No workman is ever going to coat the bottom edgest of cast iron.

Circa turn of the 20th century is the correct era, so you’re right that it’s 100  years old, as you’ve indicated you thought in the email.

Retail $250-$400

Wholesale $125

Quick sale $75