Author Topic: Need help,identifying writers desk...  (Read 4313 times)

Sed777

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Need help,identifying writers desk...
« on: February 06, 2013, 07:47:53 pm »
My mother has recently passed away and this desk was in the attic.
It's pretty beat up, but I was wondering if it might have any value or if its better off to toss it?!?!

Included are some images, please any help is great fully appreciated!!

mart

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #1 on: February 06, 2013, 08:22:41 pm »
Welcome to the group !! Be glad to help !! Your last pic is sideways and does not show the entire desk,, but from what I can see it loojs like an old school desk from about 30`s era !! I would certainly not trash it !! Just clean it up and take the stickers off and use it as is !!

Sed777

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #2 on: February 06, 2013, 08:58:07 pm »
Problem is we don't have room for it, so if there is no value in it, it might end up in a landfill!

KC

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #3 on: February 07, 2013, 12:17:27 am »
School desk.  Lotsa' people like having them around.  I know we have two for when the kids were younger.

You won't get rich. But, in my neck of the woods, in great shape sell for $50 - $90.

Betting that STP sticker is from the 70's Mart!
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

mart

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #4 on: February 07, 2013, 04:40:19 am »
Indeed KC !! These old desks sell pretty well here too !! You should be able to get a fair price,, about what KC valued it by listing it on Craigslist !!  Lot of people like them !!

cogar

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #5 on: February 07, 2013, 06:32:54 am »
That is a clerk's desk ...... not a school desk ..... so don't you dare trash it.  ;D ;D

Not as good a one as this ...... but ...... to wit:

http://www.antiquesimagearchive.com/items/D9710556.html

ghopper1924

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #6 on: February 07, 2013, 06:40:28 am »
Could it be early 19th century?? :o

If it's 1930s like Mart said, then you might want to restore the finish. Definitely keep it, or at least keep it out of the landfill!!
"I collect antiques because they're beautiful."

-Broderick Crawford

mart

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #7 on: February 07, 2013, 07:05:21 am »
By style could be either one but since this is pine,, made cheaper and reinforced,, I figured school desk !!

cogar

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #8 on: February 07, 2013, 07:32:02 am »
 ;D I figured you were right ..... until I noticed the keyhole and lid lock.

KC

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #9 on: February 07, 2013, 11:10:33 am »
I noticed that cogar...but was looking at height of it.  Clerk's desks were typically taller for standing use or a tall stool.  Teachers had locks on theirs as well.

Can you please post the dimensions of the piece?  Also, does it appear that the legs have been shortened?
« Last Edit: February 07, 2013, 07:11:53 pm by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

cogar

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #10 on: February 07, 2013, 12:01:46 pm »


Slant Top Railroad Clerks Desk
early 1900s railroad clerks desk. Original finish
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5743769


KC

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #11 on: February 07, 2013, 01:04:30 pm »
Cogar, you are bound and determined to "show me"!  LOL  Great job...but note the detailed legs that show the adequate size on the one you posted Cogar.

Just making sure on the other one!  :P
« Last Edit: February 07, 2013, 07:10:10 pm by KC »
I'm from the South - but please don't mistake my Southern Manners/Accent/Charm as a weakness!

mart

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #12 on: February 07, 2013, 03:31:21 pm »
Whichever it is,,, it ain`t trash !!  Its a keeper !!

cogar

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #13 on: February 08, 2013, 04:53:35 am »
KC, this link in Post # 5 …  http://www.antiquesimagearchive.com/items/D9710556.html  ….. was simply to show how the top was made and not the lengths of the legs cause the length/height of the legs is immaterial.

If the desk was made for use in a “busy” place where there was normally a line of patrons “waiting” to be clerked, …. then yes, it would have long legs and a stool so that the clerk could sit … and look the patron straight in the eyes to do his/her “clerking” business.

But during the 19th and early 20th century there were thousands of RR depots, land offices, makeshift courtrooms, etc., that had need of a “clerk’s desk” but where never once did a “waiting” line of patrons form, …. except on rare occasions when “homestead” or “mining” claims needed to be “filed”. Thus, with only a few patrons per day, or per week or even per month, a sit-down desk was more practical. And the “lock” on it a necessity.

And that is just my logical opinion because I can’t prove it to be a fact. But I do spend my afternoons and nights watching those old movies and TV series (Gunsmoke, etc.) on the “Western” cable channel that have “clerking” scenes in them every now and then.  ;D ;D ;D ;D ;D

mart

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Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
« Reply #14 on: February 08, 2013, 08:11:38 am »
Well,, Thats one method of research I never thought about !!  Guess I better start watching old re-runs a little closer !!  LOL