Lawman & Erbe Roll-Top Desk Refinish?

Hi all,

I rescued a very heavy oak(?) roll-top desk from the side of the road the other day. It has what appears to be some serious water damage on it, and I'd like to refinish it. I have two main questions.

1. My wife is worried that this might be of some value, and that my refinishing it will rob it of that.
2. I don't know much about refinishing! So, I'd love any advice on how to proceed.

Thanks!

 

Oh my , that is in rough shape . Looks like its missing a few drawers as well ? I think you can pretty much do whatever youd like with it , its value is nominal anyway . But good on you for saving it and reusing it .

 

Hi,
If it was mine. I would strip off all the old finish. Bleach the hell out of it to get rid of water stains. I would then restain it with a Jacobean oak stain. It is darker than a bright clear oak finish. And enjoy it.
greg

 

It's Yawman & Erbe rather than Lawman & Erbe. Seen them mentioned in directories, etc... dated around 1915, 1919... Here's an example:

Geyer's Stationer publication of business equipment, etc.
Page 64. October 17, 1915, bottom of left column.
https://books.google.com/books?id=-Z87AQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA64&lpg=RA1-PA64&dq="Yawman+&+erbe"+mfg.+co.,+san+francisco,+CAl&source=bl&ots=YPmvlG_xgm&sig=2C8yA883quYG_tGlCvgQgxSAalU&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwjul8HhnfTNAhVN4GMKHZL9DjYQ6AEIHTAB#v=onepage&q="Yawman & erbe" mfg. co., san francisco, CAl&f=false

Here is some of their office equipment on eBay.
http://www.ebay.com/bhp/yawman-erbe

--- Susan

 

BTW, Yawman & Erbe co. was founded in Rochester, NY in the 1880s. Sometime around 1918 they opened a 2nd location in San Francisco. With your desk saying "San Francisco," this desk would date no earlier than 1918.

The America Stationer and Office Outfitter 1918 publications
March 2, 1918, Page 11.
https://books.google.com/books?id=TyIdAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA8-PA11&lpg=RA8-PA11&dq=yawman+&+Erbe+in+Rochester,+NY+and+San+Francisco&source=bl&ots=DVJleSrHYt&sig=B7ayQMTRPPkpM1BZmIaZd1DB-pc&hl=en&sa=X&ved=0ahUKEwizta7gpPTNAhUC8WMKHVKZDLcQ6AEIGzAA#v=onepage&q=yawman & Erbe in Rochester, NY and San Francisco&f=false

--- Susan

 

You might be surprised how well this would clean up/refinish. The biggest problem I see is the missing drawer. This was easily a $750.00 + desk in good refinished condition not all that long ago. Still has some value despite today's market if refinished. I, personally, would be hesitant to paint it if you have the ability to make a drawer for it.

 

I'm with Greg here.....bring it back to life....don't kill it with paint !