Featured Can anyone tell me about this secretary?

Inheriting this large secretary.. looking for anything you can share. This is the only photo I have at moment.

 

Very nice piece, Keith, but I'm wondering why you call it a secretary since it does not seem to have a place with a writing surface? If there is one, where?

 

Empire period style cupboard, mahogany veneer.

 

Hi, thank you.. the middle draw actually folds to a small desk area.

 

What would a fair market price be on this? It is probably too large for my house and I may need to sell.

 

It will depend upon where you live. In my southern Louisiana area, it wouldn't fetch more than $200-300 on a good day.

 

Beautiful piece,but sadly the market is lousy. Is it a family piece? Pity you couldnt hang onto it.

 

Yes, very handsome. (And useful.)

Debora

 

Empire or Classical style bookcase secretary - LOVELY! Is there a chance it could be southern? What are the secondary woods? Do you have a drawer construction picture?

 

I will get picture later this week.

 

Indeed

Yep is, Late Classical mahogany book-matched veneered desk-bookcase, mid 19th century, looks to be in very good condition. As @johnnycb09 noted the market isn't good at the moment for this style except for a few exceptions, Garden District in NO or Cape May in NJ come immediately to mind.

 

Anxious to see how that drawer is supported when open! Angled hinges?? I do think it's a lovely piece!! Pity you might not be keeping it!!! Wondering if that right upper glass door is warped open or just happenstance from camera angle!! Looking forward to more images!!!​

 

Sadly I doubt that market for antique furniture is as healthy as it once was, James.
What Mother Nature didn't eliminate, Ikea ilk next gen may...

 

I am in the auction field and we tend to think that everything is cyclic. These things will come around. We still are seeing interest in southern antique furniture.

 

This is the desk open...

 

That is a nice older one - that whole drawer will slide all the way - sometimes they would tape money or important papers back behind it if there wasn't a 'prospect drawer' or other hidden drawer.

 

This is close to what they sometimes call a butler's chest (in which the top drawer opens up as a writing desk with pigeon holes at the back, and it was very popular as a low boy, but can be seen occasionally in the bookcase version as well. This particular case is doubly odd as it is fixed with a cupboard rather that drawers. And the drawer has the good latches but I don't see the side support hinges that are to be expected. A great and sober piece, better prepared for the opposition of minimalist haters than more ornate ones.