The PHILCO Phorum

As I tried to clean the side of the cabinet (just testing) with an alcohol,the finish started melting.The set is from 1933-34, I don't think they were using shellac that late (or did they?), yet I believe the finish is original (one can always tell otherwise). Even if it was not, who in the right mind would use shellac after stripping the lacquer? Any ideas?

Was it melting down to the wood? Just thinking it might be years of buildup that was melting instead?

Philco used lacquer on all of their wood cabinets.