Totally O.T. Furniture

rusty6 · Oct 14, 2020

Just wondered if there are any antique furniture buffs here that might have a clue as to the vintage of this old desk. I think some call it a "secretaire desk". I'm thinking its pretty old. Been in the family as long as I remember but I don't know it's history.

farmerjohn · Oct 15, 2020

Judging by the style and the “tiger oak” veneer I would guess about 1910-1920.

4wdtom · Oct 15, 2020

Looks like some of the stuff my grandparents had, would have been from 1910 +- 10 or 15 yrs.

1948CaseVAI · Oct 15, 2020

Yep that is a "secretary" and looks to be 100 or so years old. Looks to be in good shape! Nice piece. If it is a family piece take good care of it. If it isn't family and you want to sell it the story of where it came from can add value.

rusty6 · Oct 15, 2020

Thanks for the interesting replies on the desk so far. A hundred years old would make sense. The post WWI years seemed to be a time of prosperity and optimism as
I know there were several major purchases my grandparents made in that time. Including this house. A new Model T Ford. Battery radio, and of course the Rock
Island Heider. Some new furniture too apparently. This desk will be staying in the family.

55 50 Ron · Oct 15, 2020

What a nice picture. Who are the people on the tractor? Obviously family, but who specifically? Is the picture taken on the site where you live now? Someone with a camera then was fortunate.

retired farmer · Oct 15, 2020

Be interesting to know when those buildings were built, the picture is old at the time and the buildings even older.

rusty6 · Oct 15, 2020

(quoted from post at 07:42:11 10/15/20) What a nice picture. Who are the people on the tractor? Obviously family, but who specifically? Is the picture taken on the site where you live now? Someone with a camera then was fortunate.

Yes, photo of the Rock Island Heider was taken about 1942 right here in the yard. That barn in the background shows up in many of my videos and photos now. My grandmother with aunts Mavis and Doris on the tractor. It was only ever used for belt work until post WWII when my dad and uncle tried to put it to work in the field. It was not too successful. They had to replace the cone clutch fibre as it had deteriorated in the weather. I don't think they ran it too long before a connecting rod went through the block. The tractor was scrapped and I have several pieces of it as reminders. Including the seat, fenders, the two frame rails were used to extend the bale wagon frame. Best of all I found the brass specification plate with the serial and model number of the tractor. Just laying in the dust in the yard a few years ago.

gab · Oct 15, 2020

Here's one I bought from my mother when she moved from the farm to a small apartment in town. I think she said they got
this from her parents for a wedding present. She died in 1995 at 86 years old so it's got some age on it.

And it's got a round glass door, supposed to be more valuable I guess.

Greg1959 · Oct 15, 2020

That's quarter sawn oak and the piece looks like what we call a
"married" piece. Something jumbled together from multiple pieces
to make another piece. Just because it has something resembling
a 'drop front' does not make it a secretary.

Stephen Newell · Oct 15, 2020

It's probably around a hundred years old. Looks like quartersawn white oak. Simple but nicely made. It probably has a shellac finish on it so be careful to keep it dry.

Greg1959 · Oct 15, 2020

Also, the glass looks too new.

Janicholson · Oct 15, 2020

I will guess between 80 and 100 years old. It is a secretary. The genera is kinda like tractors of that era. every shape, and some so different that they
would be called a desk. But yours is in the middle of the "field". Jim

Greg1959 · Oct 15, 2020

Does it have pigeon holes?

rusty6 · Oct 15, 2020

(quoted from post at 14:03:44 10/15/20) Does it have pigeon holes?

Do you mean like this? I"d say yes.

Greg1959 · Oct 15, 2020

Greg1959 · Oct 16, 2020

You might want to look at the two lower drawers. A lot of times
the manufacturer would emboss their name on the underneath side
of the drawer. hth

Totally O.T. Furniture

rusty6

Well-known Member

farmerjohn

Well-known Member

4wdtom

Well-known Member

1948CaseVAI

Well-known Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

55 50 Ron

Well-known Member

retired farmer

Well-known Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

gab

Well-known Member

Greg1959

Well-known Member

Stephen Newell

Well-known Member

Greg1959

Well-known Member

Janicholson

Well-known Member

Greg1959

Well-known Member

rusty6

Well-known Member

Greg1959

Well-known Member

Greg1959

Well-known Member

Similar threads