I recently acquired this two-tier revolving bookcase as a present for my daughter who is a book-lover and fortuitously a librarian here in the UK. It was said to be Edwardian dating to the early 1900s. I have no reason to doubt this as it is on porcelain castors with brass mounts that look to be original. However, I have never before seen a tiered revolving bookcase of this particular design. Most rotating bookcases revolve around a central supporting column running from the base to the top. In contrast, in this piece of furniture the rotational mechanism is housed below the lower book-shelf and there is no central column. Instead, connecting the lower and middle shelves and the top are quite substantial turned spindles which you can clearly see in the photographs. These also serve to retain the individual rows of books. Again, in most of the revolving bookcases that I've seen before, the books are retained by quite flimsy lathes (thin strips of wood) attached to the outer edges of the shelves. I wonder if any of you experts out there can cast further light on my recent purchase in terms of its design, maker, age, authenticity, rarity, value. Indeed, any information about this furniture which, with my very limited knowledge seems to have an unusual and atypical construction, would be most welcome. Thanks for any advice you are able to offer.
Cailean
