Larkin Chautauqua Desk - Factory No. 5

I'm researching values for this Larkin "premium" desk and am also interested in production numbers by year. I've found asking prices ranging from $750 to $300. I'll post some pics of my particular piece later today. Thanks for any info you might be able to share.

 

My name is Larkin and I have collected Larkin products for 50 years. John D.Larkin is the founder of the Larkin soap company out of Buffalo N.Y. in 1875-1940.( they also are connected to Buffalo pottery)So you know it falls into that range. The premiums I believe did not come out until they started the mail order groceries. Look up J. D. Larkin in Wikipediae and I think your desk was offered as a premium in 1890. I have a kitchen cabinet and a trunk with the Larkin label. Those are the only furniture items I have. Larkin Street on Fisherman's Warf in San Francisco is named after him.

 

When it comes to value, I think auction results provide the most accurate picture, as depressing as that often is. Liveauctioneers.com has around 160 sales results under "Larkin desk". While this one pictured sold for $800, most were in the $100-$300 range, with around 60 going for under $100.