Desklopnik

"Leadbull" (leadbull911) 01/07/2015 at 21:04 • Filed to: Desklopnik

0

3

I recently acquired this antique desk while on Christmas vacation. My dad and I stuffed it into the back of a rental Dodge Caravan, along with four people and our luggage, and made the 14 hour drive back home.

This desk has an interesting history.

My paternal great-grandfather (pictured) bought it for his mother in the early 1900s (we don't know the exact year). After she died, it ended up in my dad's bedroom for a few years in the '60s. From there, it went to my other great-grandfather. He died in 2000, but his wife, my great-grandmother, lived until last year — and kept the house. When her kids finally sold off the property in November, the desk was still in the basement. My uncle pulled it from the estate sale and stashed it under an open barn, along with some antique tractors and a dusty Fox Body 'Stang. And then my dad and I found it. It's currently sitting in my parents' basement.

It's in decent shape for being so old. There are a couple of loose screws, the stain is faded/peeling and the drawer tracks could use a good lubin', but the wood seems to be in good condition and there are no major structural issues. It came with a chair, but we couldn't fit it inside the van. The chair has the company info stamped on it, so I'll definitely need to get that back. I forgot to snag a pic, but IIRC, it was made by a company named Hale, in Vermont.

Unfortunately, I don't know much about desks. Does anyone know of a good way to find out what it's worth? Also, would it be worth more if I refurbished it, or do antique desk collectors appreciate patina?

I'm probably going to re-stain the thing, anyway. It'll be a summer project since I'm going back to school soon. I didn't take this desk to sell it; I took it because it's a family heirloom and I'd like to keep it and use it.

BaconSandwich is tasty. > Leadbull 01/07/2015 at 21:23

0

Given how old it is, is it solid wood? If so, I'd say it'd be worth quite a bit!

Leadbull > BaconSandwich is tasty. 01/07/2015 at 21:35

0

Yeah, it's quite solid.

itranthelasttimeiparkedit > Leadbull 01/07/2015 at 23:30

0

no matter what its worth I'd keep it then. damn ikea crap