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I'm looking for some information on the following desk.

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Desks402 of 645School deskAntique School Desk - who is the Manufacturer?
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    Posted 9 years ago

    grier29
    (1 item)

    It belonged to a relative so it must be 70-90 years old at least.Problem is I closed it with the keys inside so

    Unsolved Mystery

    Help us close this case. Add your knowledge below.

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    ANTIQUE 19c DOBSON LONDON FOLDING TRAVEL SALESMAN LAP SECRETARY WRITING DESK
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    Comments

    1. scottvez scottvez, 9 years ago
      Looks to be a nice roll top.

      Here is some information on the maker:

      http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/A._Cutler_%26_Son

      Company catalogs may give you a more precise time, but I'd date it from about the 1890s- 1920s. According to the wiki information it was bought out by another company in 1930.

      Also if you switch your photos-- you will probably get more visibility on the piece.

      scott
    2. toolate2 toolate2, 9 years ago
      Can you say locksmith...lol... Beautiful desk!! Maybe there's a family treasure inside???
    3. aghcollect aghcollect, 9 years ago
      http://www.ehow.com/how_7196713_unlock-antique-rolltop-desk.html
    4. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 9 years ago
      Good show agh! I was thinking about telling them how.
      Now a question grier. Are the slats in the roll top part attached to canvass or are the slats mortised to each other? Lot of difference in collector's value! Of course, you probably have to use a hair pin before you can answer. LOL!
    5. Roycroftbooksfromme1, 9 years ago
      never saw one that locked with out turning the key to lock.hmmmmmmmmmmm
    6. grier29, 9 years ago
      Not a single piece on canvass in it and the locks activate automatically when shut.I think it is made by cutler & son dated between 1890-1920 according to wikipedia.Thanks for the feedback everyone.
    7. blunderbuss2 blunderbuss2, 9 years ago
      The ones with mortised slats are the early roll tops & more rare. When it was realized that stapling simple slats on canvas, a new cheap version was born. Problem was, a knife or razor could open them easily, so security was gone. The canvass style is so common that many people don't even seen to now about the old, better made mortised roll tops.

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