Desk has been in family for generations
Q. This is a photo of an antique desk that I own. When the top is open there is a writing surface that slides out, cubbyholes and small drawers. It is decorated with carving, and it has porcelain pulls and dovetailed drawers. I think the wood is oak with burled panels on the top part. The finish is the original. The large door at the bottom has shelves. My desk is about 49 inches tall, 38 inches wide and 22 inches deep.
It has been in our family for generations, but I don't know anything about its history, age or value. What can you tell me about it?
A. You have a Victorian cylinder top desk that was made during the Eastlake period of design. The porcelain pulls, incised spoon carving, reeded sides and overall construction are typical of the period. The shelves inside the large door were for storing documents. Your desk was made between 1880 and 1890.
It would probably fetch $600 to $1,200 in an antiques shop.
Q. I have enclosed the paper label that is on a set of children's furniture. The set was used by my brother-in-law when he was a child. It would have been purchased new around the year 1950. It consists of a crib, a youth bed, a chest of drawers and a wall-mounted bookshelf, and the pieces are decorated with a nautical theme. There are carvings of boat propellers and sailboats in relief. Most sets that I have found on the internet are decorated with decals of lambs and rabbits. Unfortunately, the pieces have been scratched from use and being in storage over the years. The mechanical condition of the furniture is very good. Since there has been wear and tear, refinishing would probably be needed. Also, the crib might not meet current safety standards.
Any information you have on the set and its value would be appreciated.
A. In 1917, Thomas A. Edison, bought the Wisconsin Chair Co. that was located in New London, Wisconsin, and changed the name to Edison Furniture. In 1927, a line of furniture for children was added. In 1937, the Edison Little Folks Furniture was introduced. The company was eventually taken over by the Simmons Co.
Similar sets have been seen selling for $600 and up.
• Address your questions to Anne McCollam, P.O. Box 247, Notre Dame, IN 46556. Items of a general interest will be answered in this column. Due to the volume of inquiries, she cannot answer individual letters.
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