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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: Sed777 on February 06, 2013, 07:47:53 PM

Title: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: Sed777 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!!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart 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 !!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: Sed777 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!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: KC 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!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart 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 !!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar 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 (http://www.antiquesimagearchive.com/items/D9710556.html)
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: ghopper1924 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!!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart 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 !!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar on February 07, 2013, 07:32:02 AM: ;D I figured you were right ..... until I noticed the keyhole and lid lock.
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: KC 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?
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar on February 07, 2013, 12:01:46 PM: (http://p2.la-img.com/946/17139/5743769_1_l.jpg)

Slant Top Railroad Clerks Desk
early 1900s railroad clerks desk. Original finish
http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5743769 (http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5743769)
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: KC 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
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart on February 07, 2013, 03:31:21 PM: Whichever it is,,, it ain`t trash !! Its a keeper !!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar on February 08, 2013, 04:53:35 AM: KC, this link in Post # 5 … http://www.antiquesimagearchive.com/items/D9710556.html (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
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart 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
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: frogpatch on February 08, 2013, 08:38:19 AM: If you take the lock in comparison to the drawer front, the drawer is about 5-6 inches deep. Count the amount of that height down the leg and it appears that the desk is only 25 inches high in the front and 30 inches in the back approximately. I would say its a school desk. Plus the legs are very utilitarian in design for mass production.
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar on February 09, 2013, 05:32:42 AM: Quote
I would say its a school desk.

YUP, an all the little kidddies carried the key to their desks on a string around their necks ....... and if they lost their key or forgot it at home they had to "stand in the corner" for 30 minutes.

Tis no wonder that someone had to invent "combination" locks ..... given the fact there is only 4 corners in each classroom
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: cogar on February 09, 2013, 06:39:02 AM: But before they invented "public schools" they were making these, to wit:

If anyone has a copy of Kathryn McNerney’s book titled …………

PRIMITIVES our American Heritage – Second Series

Then check page #109 and you will find a picture of a small “tapered square legged” desk with the included description stating, to wit:

SLANT TOP DESK. ca: 1700s. Pine, iron keeper, can be locked: 3”H top and short sides gallery as well as a narrow one around front and sides of the slant top; 41”H x 29 ½”W x 28 ½”D.

And, spite of pride, in erring reason's spite,

One truth is clear, whatever is, is right.
Alexander Pope
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: KC on February 09, 2013, 08:49:55 AM: Quote
YUP, an all the little kidddies carried the key to their desks on a string around their necks ....... and if they lost their key or forgot it at home they had to "stand in the corner" for 30 minutes.

Tis no wonder that someone had to invent "combination" locks ..... given the fact there is only 4 corners in each classroom

Cogar, made me laugh out loud. I can remember having to stand in a corner a few times!
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: greenacres on February 09, 2013, 10:36:33 AM: ;D ;D Before my time, but I remember the paddle.
Title: Re: Need help,identifying writers desk...
Post by: mart on February 09, 2013, 10:40:01 AM: Yeah !! GA,,,so do I !!! And it was not before my time !!