My wife got this when her father passed away. All we know is that it’s said to have been her grandmothers desk as a child. Her grandmother would’ve been a child in the EARLY 1900s (02-17 or so). We may be forced to part with it because we are considering a move abroad and want to know as much as we can before doing so. I’ve researched as much as my novice mind will allow and I’m feeling an aneurism coming on. Any help or guidance would be GREATLY appreciated!
Welcome, Lee! Could you clarify the years in which your wife's grandmother would have used this lovely desk? There are construction and design features that make it look to have been built before 1900.
Some people don't venture out of the Furniture forum. Probably should get moved there: @i need help @daveydempsey @Bookahtoo
Gorgeous Eastlake walnut cylinder desk with bookcase above ca. 1885-90. Nice hardware, beautiful burl, great condition, cool pin and cove joints on the drawers, American made. If you think you'll need a desk during the course of your lives, even if you have to put it in storage, then KEEP THIS! It's a beaut with nice family history. You can't buy better new at 10 times the price, which in your case would hover around $1K at auction, if you happen to live in a decent-sized city in the U.S. Midwest. More in Victorian-loving areas like New Orleans.
Id find a trusted friend or family member to hold onto it .Its too beautiful to just sell,and you may regret it later. You may not be out of the country forever.
Agree. It would be a shame for something so beautiful to leave the family where it's belonged for 100 +/- years. Debora
is it certain that it's US of origin ? touches me as Biedermeier. https://www.google.ch/search?source...gQIBxAC&biw=1184&bih=527#imgrc=UcVrVpHFddHfhM
How Old? Fortunately, your desk has Knapp joint dovetails on the drawer boxes, also called "pin & cove" which means, it can be dated precisely between 1870-1900. https://furnishgreen.com/fun-furniture-fact-the-knapp-joint/ Agree with others on 1880s-1890s date. VERY NICE example & looks to be in fine condition. This is a piece you want to KEEP, even if it means a storage locker.
Wow and thank you for the informative responses!! we truly appreciate the historical value of keeping this treasure in the family, but our travels abroad will most certainly be for 5-10 years and the cost of storing it would eclipse the value. Our sons are wonderful young men, but they have zero interest in this piece of “furniture” and would do nothing but damage it we are sure. We are trying to identify someone we would feel comfortable leaving it with, but, if anything were to happen to us, it would be out of our family anyway. Know that any decision to part with this wouldn’t be made lightly. again…THANK YOU!
The Knapp Joint was patented in America ca 1870 so 99% certain it’s American. Never seen one from anyplace else.
Let me suggest that even if you think that no one in the family would want this item, please leave the information (provenance, info on the Knapp joint, and the comments shared here) in a small notebook and put it in one of the "cubbies" on the desk. In fact, it would be good if you left that kind of info on all of your antiques, old, or family items in the little notebook. You never know when your descendants might need or want this information. It is a beautiful desk.
Excellent advice! I do this for my valuable pieces, leave a little note on the piece that is easily found. You NEVER KNOW! I could drop dead tonight and would hate it if the kids sold the Bird chest for example at $1.98 because they did not know its value.
So, true! When my mom died, my sister would have let and did let some things go for near nothing when I kept saying that the item was worth much, much more, even at less that 50% of retail. I have tried marking mine, but when used the markings often get washed off or simply lost. Took items for Christmas display one time and many returned without the notes on them. Pictures and descriptions in a little 3 by 5 notebook solved that problem. Even put Mom's notes on the page.
