Antique Desk with glass doored top.

[antiquenewbie]

Hi All,

I received this desk / hutch from my Mother in Law and it's been in our basement for several years now.  She gave it to us when she was moving from her condo and implied that it had some value.  She got it from a friend of hers who has now passed away.  I've searched around the internet but haven't found a piece quite like it.  There's a mark on the bottom of the top section that appears to have a year with it (85).    The piece is in fairly rough shape but it mostly complete.   One glass is out of it but is not broken and one of the props for the drop part of the desk is missing.   I know nothing about antiques but would like to get this piece to someone who will actually want to own it and of course get it out of my basement  

Pete

[mart]

Well, I wouldn`t argue about the year but that may be the year it was bought and the initials were those of the owner !!  And a few tears different is not important !! Are there numbers on the back,,sometimes there are !!
Can you take a close up  pic of the hardware and one of the dovetails on the drawer sides to be sure ??  Also one of the back would help as well as the interior with the doors open !!  Are you wanting confirmation of its age or
This site is informational only,,not for sales !! Craigslist would be for selling !!

[jacon4]

 Victorian, the pulls are renaissance revival so i would date it 1870-80 range. In good condition, this form sells for 2-3k retail, this one needs some work so in present condition, much less. Clean it up, advertise it as Ca. 1880 Renaissance Revival desk/bookcase in walnut.
There are some victorian peeps on here that will be along and hopefully give you more info. This desk, even in present condition does have value so don't throw/give it away. Naturally, unrestored can be a tough sell as most want something they can place in their home RIGHT NOW! but still, i would say 500-1000, just as it sits. If you do put an ad in ebay, CL, etc. you should mention that it is as found/ attic condition.

http://www.rubylane.com/item/332834-S-17965/Victorian-1870-Antique-Walnut-Secretary-Desk

[mart]

Have you had your coffee this morning Jacon4 ??  Look closer,, I believe its pine and the wood at the back is that paneling type stuff they used late 70`s and 80`s !! I think the date is 1985 !! Its wrong for the 1880`s !!

[antiquenewbie]

Thanks Jacon and mart.  I think with my limited knowledge the piece is antique but I also think it's pine.  It certainly feels like pine to me.  Here are a few more pictures that show the back and the interior of the hutch top.  In response to Jacon I don't expect to sell it here I just wasn't sure if it's saleable or if it's just well seasoned kindling.  Thanks for the help

[cogar]

Wow, I’ve never seen that before. The “saw-tooth” shelf height position’ers as seen in the 2nd photo.

And I don’t believe it is pine.

Given the circa 1880 date it is most probably Poplar and Black Walnut.

Just a guess though .... from what I can see ..... with a ?? about the walnut.

[mart]

Cogar, look closely at the front,, you can see the typical pine knots if you look closely !! However,, looking at the additional pics,, some parts look older and then some parts do not !!  I might give it as much as a 40`s date but can`t even be sure about that !! Is the glass in the door,, you said it was not in one side I believe !! Is it the thin 1/8 inch glass ??

[jacon4]

Drawer bottom is pine, no doubt about that, back of piece appears to be beaded tongue & groove construction, those saw tooth shelf brackets were quite common in built in dining room cabs until around 1900 or so. Still looks to me last quarter 19th century from what i can see in pic's. As you know, I've said it a million times, one really can't evaluate old furniture from pic's alone. I don't think the case is pine, it looks to be walnut or poplar stained to look like walnut. The fall board most likely had green felt inserts as a writing surface, also, the case appears to be missing some applied wood decorations.

[antiquenewbie]

Thanks for all the responses.  It does seem to be a mix of pine and hardwood of some kind.  As for the glass it's what I know as standard thickness glass but it has that hazy sort of look to it when viewed from an angle.  As for parts being missing I'm not surprised to hear that, some bits are missing for sure.   It does look like my only choices are to bring it to a dealer to have it evaluated or just throw an ad on craigslist and see if a dealer approaches me about it. 

[mart]

That might be a good idea to get it looked at,,its not the best condition but still ,,,!!!  A little TLC  and who knows !! 

[KC]

Cogar, I actually have the "sawtooth adjustable shelf brackets" on antiques from the 1800's and made in France!

This piece is very interesting and hard to distinguish from the pictures.  Think it could use a hands-on inspection.
Is the glass smooth or wavy?

[antiquenewbie]

The glass is wavy like I've seen in windows in antique houses. 

[mart]

You could be right Jacon4 !!

[Rauville]

Age wise, I would agree with it being a piece from the pre 1900 era. I see the doors even have a mortise and tenon construction.

[cogar]

Drawer bottom is pine, no doubt about that, back of piece appears to be beaded tongue & groove construction,

Jacon4, my eyes must be gettin bad  ..... cause I can't see a drawer bottom, pine or otherwise.

 But I agree with you on the date because of those “tear-drop” pulls, the mortise on the drop-down front/writing surface and the 2-wheeled casters.

And I see only 2 knots, one in the beaded tongue & groove board in the inside back panel and 1  on the side panel and it is “tight” grained and from an extremely large limb.

And the more I look at it …. the more I think it is stained Poplar ….. because of the “panels” in the drop-down front. They are “dark” on the front and “light” on the writing surface side.

Virgin Yellow Poplar, also known as Tuliptree, were humongous trees that made for extremely wide, strong, knot-free lumber for furniture making.

Now Basswood, also called Linden, was also a large tree that made for extremely wide, strong, light in weight, knot-free lumber for furniture making, but, it is extremely “white” in color compared to the yellow Poplar.