Rockford secretary desk

hello! I know absolutely nothing about antiques but find them interesting. I picked this secretary desk up yesterday at an estate sale for $75. It has a tag inside says it was made by the Rockford Desk Company. I don’t want to sell this desk for profit etc as we plan on using it. Just want to know if I got a decent deal at $75. Thanks!

 

Welcome to Antiquers Gman!

I think you got a nice desk for $75.

 

Also I wonder about age on it?

 

40s-50s. What kind of modern desk could you buy for $75.00 that is as good as this?

 

Very true! Thanks for the feedback!

 

Hi, I just got a similar one. When I removed the patina on the handle I saw it was dated 1855. The Rockford furniture company existed 1880 and mine was produced around then based on the date on the furniture. I think yours is way older than 1940-1950 and in fact this price of furniture is worth 800. On another forum that is what an antiques dealer has places the worth at.

 

Notice the date on the bronze after removing the patina. Remove your patina and check the date on the drawers. A 48 hour lemon bath will help. Then a toothbrush and baking soda. This is a photo of mine but no handles as the handles are in a lemon bath soaking.

 

That is probably a part number rather than a date on the brass pulls.

Quote from the following link:
"Rockford Chair and Furniture, an Illinois corporation organized in 1882, engaged in the manufacture of furniture until 1950."
https://archon.lib.niu.edu/index.php?p=collections/findingaid&id=42&q=&rootcontentid=9913

So your desk could have been made any time up until 1950

 

AS Brad said. Very nice piece, but the hinges, the veneers, the style, all points to one of those revival fads. Never heard of a date of manufacture stamped on original hardware, that sounds more like when patents came into play. Also very nice bureau, btw. As to the desirability of removing patina and polishing, opinions are very much divided.

 

Yes, late 1940s. Would benefit from some Howard's Restore-a-Finish. Not a bad deal for $75, but with some Howard's and some elbow grease you could notch the $ value - as well as the appearance - up a bit.

 

Your desk does look a bit older than the Op's but likely not more than a decade. As others said, the number is likely a part number and not a date. While you may like the polished look of the hardware, most people do not and you have likely devalued your piece. Take asking prices for furniture on the internet with a grain of salt. Most sellers are fishing for buyers with more money than brains and willing to pay for convenience. Also, asking price is not selling price. I can pick up desks like this for under $100 without much effort.