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J.B. Van Sciver Co. Secretary Desk with 2377 imprinted on original hardware drawer handles

S
10 years ago
AI Appraisal
Description

I purchased a secretary desk that has a J.B. Van Sciver (Cambden, N.J.) label in the upper most drawer. It is missing hte key to the pull-down desk part and the glass hutch.

The desk seemingly has all original hardware. One of the hinges on the pull-down part of the desk isn't screwed in correctly, but I'm afraid to "fix" it and alter it's overall vaule. 

Inside the pull-out part there is a section that completely comes out that has "file" sections. 3 drawers across the bottom, under the files, a little door with a wooden knob on it and 2 "secret" pull-out sections next to the door.

There is wear on the desk (a chip from the surface of the desk once you open it (near the edge about the size of a dime). There is some water damage on the surface on the open desk as well (no bubbling, or warping).

On one of the sides of the desk there is also some water damage, but no bubbling, warping and it is not soft to the touch).

It has claw feet.

The hutch is in overall wonderful condition (it was used, so minimal wear). The glass is in excellent condition on the hutch. The very middle, top part of the hutch is removable. 

It is a full-sized desk (not a minature one like I've seen in some antique stores).

The key for the desk and the hutch are missing (though both open and close without them).

There is a hole in the back part of the desk that the previous owner made in order to run computer cords through it. It is not easily noticable when the opened-desk's file part is in, but when it is taken out it is very obvious...but also functional if you actually plan to put a computer on it.

Category Furniture
Medium wood. I don't know what kind.
Distinguishing marks J.B. Van Sciver Co. (Cambden, N.J.)
"2377" on the drawer handles
Condition Fair
Size and dimensions of this item 83" height
20.5" deep (at this deepest point)
36" wide
Date Period 1841
(this is based off of me googling the "2377" on the handles, which seems to indicate a patent year of 1841 according to Biddington's Chart: http://www.biddingtons.com/content/patentchart.html )
Weight Less than 100 pounds total. I moved in with the drawers out in two separate pieces by myself.
History When I bought this the previous owner said it has been her husband's grandmother's desk.
Price TBD
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