Posted 11 years ago
Kerrilynn
(1 item)
I found this desk in Mississippi. Someone along the way has painted the outside, which I hope to restore to original finish. I have never seen a school desk like this. There is no label so I am wondering if anyone has any information about it. There is no inkwell. The paper scroll includes images that perhaps might date it to the 1920's. The paper school also has color images of birds. The desk has a storage compartment inside the desk. Any thoughts or knowledge to share would be appreciated.
Not having an ink well fits in with the paperwork in picture two. The paper is for very young kids, the kind that spill ink. At that point in their education they were probably only using pencils. I am not sure how you dated it to the 1920's but I can tell you the same type paper prints were being used in the 1950's when I started school. Also our desks were wooden and had the fold up top for storage. The desk shown above is probably somewhat older. I tend to question whether this was a school desk or a desk used at home or possibly at Sunday school. You didn't mention the height of the desk but that will tell you quite a bit. The desk shown looks to be taller than you would find a younger student sitting at in school. Look carefully as you refinish it for stencil or other markings. The top may also hold secrets under the paint. Stripping it slowly may reveal where someone carved or wrote their name or a date. The paint may have been used to cover old sins so to speak. Looks like a fun project.
I just found one exactly like the desk you have. Its is a childs desk and with what is on the inner scroll it looks likes its from the late 1920's. The scroll that is in mine has a WW1 solder in it and checks on the scroll dated 1923. I am giving it to my granddaughter who is 4 but have to protect the scroll which is canvas. If anyone has any more information on the desk I would appreciate some feedback.
Dear Kerrilynn, I just posted a pic of a desk I've had for a few years now, but am also unsure of it's origin. I found your post here because I had googled school desks and found a pic of your desk. The scroll on my desk is not canvas but paper, and the paper color and style looks Very similar to yours. Like you, I am also thinking maybe 1920-30? just because of the pictures and the look and feel of the thing. It is solid oak and doesn't appear to have ever been refinished. I'm on facebook too, but only check in every third day or so. Thanks for sharing and hopefully we can figure out something about these desks. Randy