First introduced into England from France in the late 18th century, the rolltop desk had become a standard piece of office equipment by the end of the 19th century and was mass-produced in large quantities.

How old is my roll top desk?

Double-check the knee-hole, both sides of the bottom of the main drawer and the back of both the desk and its top. Finding a label lets you confirm age from a commercial history.

Are roll top desks out of style?

Like many pieces of furniture, the roll top has waxed and waned in popularity. … Now we find we are using less paper due to the computer age and the desk is gaining in popularity. Modern versions tend to have all the connections necessary for your computer plus a place to lock it up.

How do I know if my roll top desk is antique?

Check the desk for original locks stamped with a turn-of-the-century manufacturer’s name, such as Derby Desk Company, Schlicht Area Company, Shannon File Company or Cutler Desk Company. You might also find the name of the manufacturer underneath the desk, which could even include the date the piece was manufactured.

What is the purpose of a roll top desk?

Rolltop desks first appeared in offices during the nineteenth century, along with rise of the merchant class. They were designed specifically for clerks and businesspeople who needed a way to organize the ledgers, correspondence and other paperwork associated with operating a small business.

How much is my roll top desk worth?

Factors Affecting Roll Top Desk Value Age – Older desks in will be worth more, generally, than similar newer desks in the same condition. Look at the way the drawers are put together. Large hand cut dovetail joints will indicate the piece is older than if the dovetails are small and uniformly cut by machine.

When were Oak Crest roll top desks made?

This is an antique early 20th century, Edwardian era, Arts & Crafts/Mission style, single 3-drawer pedestal and single off-center drawer, oak wood desk with s-curved tambour roll front that was produced by Ramsey-Alton Manufacturing Co of Portland, Michigan between 1905 – 1915 in their Oak Craft line.

What was the roll top desk made of?

The roll top desk gets its name because the desktop surface and the nooks and compartments can be covered thanks to a tambour that rolls in and out of a storage slot. The tambour is a series of wooden slats linked together, an element partially inspired by the cylinder desks of the eighteenth century.

How can I tell how old my desk is?

Look carefully at the bottom, sides, and back of the drawer; if the wood shows nicks or cuts, it was probably cut with a plane, a spokeshave, or a drawknife. Straight saw marks also indicate an old piece. If the wood shows circular or arc-shaped marks, it was cut by a circular saw, not in use until about 1860.

How do you date an antique?

1. Look Past the Style of a Piece.
2. Examine Bottoms, Insides, and Backs.
3. Check for Perfectly Matching Elements.
4. Try to Figure Out What Tools Were Used.
5. Look at the Wood and Upholstery Fabric.
6. Investigate the Screws and Other Hardware.

Article first time published on

Are roll top desks popular?

Because it was produced in vast numbers and at varying levels of quality, the rolltop desk is popular in the antique market. It is usually expensive especially if the wood used is expensive. It is also popular amongst set decorators who want to recreate the ambience of an office of the late 19th or early 20th century.

What had damaged the roll top desk?

Fire and water had damaged the desk before the author found it and bought it.

What was special about the roll top desk where did the narrator find it?

The Narrator Finds a Roll-top Desk Finally, he finds one in a junk shop in Bridport. The desk was a very old early 19th century make and it was made of oak. The junk shopkeeper was selling it at a low price as the desk was in a bad condition.

What is another name for a roll top desk?

• davenport.
• desk.
• escritoire.
• secretaire.
• secretary.
• writing table.

How do you restore an oak roll top desk?

1. Apply a heavy coat of chemical stripper onto the oak roll top desk with a brush. …
2. Scrape the old finish off with the putty knife and steel wool. …
3. Sand the desk with 120 grit sandpaper. …
4. Wipe grain filler onto the oak roll-top desk with a cloth and work it into the wood.

How tall is a roll top desk?

Color OptionsGSHeight50″H OVERALL50″H OVERALLWidth34″34″Depth24″24″DistressingNoNo

How much does a roll top desk weigh?

Item Weight‎338 poundsProduct Dimensions‎57 x 25.5 x 25 inchesWeight‎338 Pounds

What is difference between antique and vintage?

In the strictest sense, the difference between an antique and a vintage item is its age. Antiques are items which must be at least 100 years old. That means, as of the date of this posting, an antique item was made on or before April of 1918. … Vintage items are not as old as antiques.

How can I make my roll top desk slide easier?

Try reducing any high spots, using a chisel for the grooves, a wood rasp for the slats and a low-angled block plane for trimming end grain. Try another fitting, and if the tambour now moves more comfortably, rub paraffin along the edges to make for a smoother run.

When was the school desk invented?

1880: The Fashion Desk John Loughlin in Ohio invented the first school desk which became very popular. They attached to one another and were usually big enough to sit two or three children. Notice the ubiquitous inkwell.

What are old fashioned desks called?

escritoire An escritoire is a type of case furniture, usually a low desk with a slant top. When open, this sloping lid forms a surface for writing or reading (the name derives from the French word écrire, meaning to write).

When did they stop using flat head screws in furniture?

Originally screws were flat bottomed until it was realized that a pointed screw was better, just like our modern screws. After about 1850, all screws have been basically the same through today. If you find an old screw in a piece of furniture it may not be the original. One clue is to look at the slot in the head.

Who bought the roll top desk?

Answer: The author bought the roll-top desk from a junk shop.

When did they stop making dovetail furniture?

Wider, uniform machine-cut dovetails were common in factory-made pieces from 1890 until the modern era. If a piece has no dovetails, it can still be a candidate for refinishing if it’s sturdy and well-designed, but it’s not likely to be an old piece with antique value.

What era is claw foot furniture?

Claw foot tables became a common fixture in many European and American homes during the 18th and 19th centuries. From massive banquet tables to quaint candlestick tables, these tables can be found in a wide variety of sizes and styles.

Is there an app for valuing antiques?

The antique identification and value app is a great electronic alternative to the basic professional appraisal form typically used by certified appraisers. … All of the information in the Antique Appraisal Form Mobile App will be saved and easy to access at any time.

Can I paint a roll top desk?

Apply a light coat of primer to the desk, using a medium paint brush and working from the top down. Keep the roll top in its hidden position so you can paint the desk’s inside and the bottom piece of the roll top. Apply primer to the drawer fronts, moving the brush from side to side. Allow the primer to dry.

How do you unlock a roll top desk without a key?

1. Unbend one metal paperclip, turning it into a long, thin tool for picking your desk lock. …
2. Slide your paperclip back into the lock, running it across the top of the lock. …
3. Push a second paperclip or a screwdriver into the lock. …
4. Insert your paperclip back into the lock.

Why was the roll top desk a cheap one?

He saw a roll-top desk, which he had been needed for a long time. The ones he saw very costly, but this one came very cheap – because it was damaged. The roll-top was broken into pieces, one leg was awkwardly broken, and it had fire burnt marks on one side.

Who was that smiled?

Answer: It was Hans Wolf that smiled.

Why did the author buy the roll top desk from a junk shop?

Answer: The narrator bought a roll top desk from the junk shop as his Christmas present because he wanted to buy one from very long. Hope it helps.