Q & A

D.C. of Quipamsis New Brunswick writes:

A good number of years ago I got this old desk in a trade. I was told it came from a pharmacy in Maine. This seems verified by the pigeon boxes. There are three names and addresses of people including a doctor and the word "Prescriptions" in his cubicle. There are also spilled black ink stains. Unfortunately I can't get a clear picture of the names. I have included front and side view photos of the desk and one of the dovetailed drawer. I don`t know what the wood is but the cubicles and drawer bottom look to me like poplar. Measurements are 52 1/2" high, 28" wide and 16" deep.

The carvings I believe hand made due to irregularities in spacing especially noticeable on the front. The lock on the desk is original and the desk drawer hardware appears original. The hinges for the fold down top and the two bottom doors have been replaced and the lock for the bottom removed. If possible, I would like to know how old this desk is, who the maker was, and it's value, if any.

We asked Liz Isaac to respond:

The desk is one of several styles that was manufactured in both the US and Canada. Unless it is stamped by the maker it is almost impossible to tell where it was made. As it came originally from Maine, one could assume that it was made there or in Massachusettes. It is circa 1900 / 1910 and is made of oak and the Fair Market Value is $400.00 One of the more noted styles of this type of desk was made by a company called Larkin and the desks commonly became known as "Larkin desks“.

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