Mid-20th Century Maple "Chest-O-Lite" Dresser & Secretary Desk Combo

Details

Description

1950s Maple "Chest-O-Lite" Hide-A-Desk Dresser Secretary Combo | Drop-Front Home Office | Vintage Tallboy Bureau | Mid-Century Modern (MCM)

An … Read more 1950s Maple "Chest-O-Lite" Hide-A-Desk Dresser Secretary Combo | Drop-Front Home Office | Vintage Tallboy Bureau | Mid-Century Modern (MCM)

An exceptional and rare mid-20th century multi-functional secretary bureau and dresser combination, masterfully crafted circa 1950. Coined the "Chest-O-Lite," this ingenious piece represents the pinnacle of post-war American space-saving engineering and utility design, blending a traditional tallboy silhouette with a fully integrated, illuminated home workspace.

The upper register features three distinct panels. The flanking compartments house fully functional accessory drawers with crisp, historic dovetail joinery. The central facade seamlessly lifts upward to reveal the namesake "Chest-O-Lite" component: its original, fully intact incandescent light fixture and electrical cord, which has been tested and remains in excellent working order.

Directly beneath the light housing, a faux drawer facade pulls out and lowers into a drop-front secretary desk. This drop-front surface features its original, fully operational lift spring-latch mechanism that secures the door tightly when closed. Once extended, it exposes a handsomely partitioned interior wooden cubby system with multi-tiered sorting slots and stationery shelving. The lower register consists of two massive, full-width drawers accented by turned wooden pulls. Elevated by a charming, undulating scalloped apron, the solid native maple wood boasts a highly reflective, warm golden-amber honey finish that brings immense character to mid-century modern, transitional, or cottage-style interiors.

Dimensions
Width: 32.5 inches
Height: 49.0 inches
Depth: 18.5 inches

Condition Notes
Good to very good vintage condition, exhibiting superb structural integrity and complete mechanical functionality. This authentic mid-century piece retains a beautiful presentation but displays honest, age-appropriate cosmetic wear, minor surface scuffs, and light dings consistent with historical residential use. The center top panel lifts smoothly, the pull-out desk functions seamlessly, and the original spring latch secures tightly. The factory-original light fixture and wiring have been tested and are fully working. The lower drawers operate smoothly on original runners, boasting tight dovetail construction and exceptionally clean interiors.

Free local pickup is also available in Bolivia, NC 28422

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