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Butler's Desk

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    Posted 4 years ago

    jdearing
    (2 items)

    Just bought this and trying to determine age, maker, etc... I has a slat back, and I think Philadelphia style Chippendale claw-on-ball feet on an open bracket leg. I have found some U.S. Patent numbers on hinges and locks. But I believe some lock are not original, I could be mistaken. There is a M V written inside one of the drawer slots and the numbers 1102 are stamped on the back. Some dove tails look more handmade than others. There has been some restoration done so its hard to tell where one starts and the other begins. Any ideas

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    Comments

    1. Congcu, 4 years ago
      Is the 9 drawer section with the four columns removeable?
    2. scottvez scottvez, 4 years ago
      Some photos of construction would help-- drawer joint, back etc...

      scott
    3. jdearing, 4 years ago
      Is there a way that the inside column area is to be removed? I'm not sure how to word what I'm asking. I have worked construction my entire life so if I want something removed I will dang sure try to find a way to make it happen. It looks like all I would need to do to remove it would be the removal of a few tiny trim pieces and around 6 wood screws. If I got those out I figure I would find a few brad nails to pry out and then the removal would be complete. I noticed that if I was to remove the section that the back piece of "best quality" wood that is behind that center drawer and is the main back panel would need to have stain and a finish applyed because it is bare.
      Before I posted this I had pulled out all the drawers to inspect everything and I found it strangely clean and not very worn looking when I got the center sections drawers removed. I also think the amount of redish brown, I'm assuming dirt and stain, that I actually had scrub off the back was crazy! I have refinished pieces that were 100 plus years before that were not anywhere near as nasty as this. After getting it as clean as I could for now I found that the slated back is made from wood that I personaly think is pretty and has had a gloss finish applied to it. Maybe I'm just more of a green-horn than I thought. This piece supposedly belonged to a very well off family that was in the Philadelphia area, and most of my previous pieces were not from wealth.
      As soon as I figure out how to post more pictures than the original four I was allowed I will. If this doesn't make sense be patient with me, I'm new I have thousands of questions and no knowledge of how to ask.
      Thank you for your shared curiosity.

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