Antique Arts & Crafts Tiger Oak Folding Desk Book Rack Pat Pending

Details

Description

Antique, American Arts & Crafts era, mission oak Folding Book Rack. This early 20th century desk accessory, crafted from premium … Read more Antique, American Arts & Crafts era, mission oak Folding Book Rack. This early 20th century desk accessory, crafted from premium quarter-sawn tiger oak with prominent ray fleck grain patterns, was designed to sit perfectly on a desk, library table or shelf to hold a small collection of books. This model was probably produced between 1900 and 1920 by one of the mid western companies that manufactured an array of desk accessories for home libraries and offices (i.e. Globe Wernicke Co, Skandia Furniture Co.) that had filed a patent on the design to protect their business in an expanding market - see PATENT PENDING mark on bottom.

The base of the rack is fabricated from one solid piece of oak with the upright support ends cut from the panel. These ends are made to fold down and into the base on smooth original wood pivot pins, making the rack smooth and flat when folded. The bottom has 2 perpendicular angled pieces of oak that serve as sturdy feet to keep the whole rack balanced and hold the upright ends securely in place and are finished with small, round, green felt pads. The rack measures 15" across - with 13 1/8" of space between the upright ends to store a collection of books. The base is 6 1/2" deep and the rack measures 5 1/2' tall when fully open and weighs 1 lb 3 oz.

A very functional piece with a classic design in warm wood for organizing a special collection of tomes on your desk, shelf or side table that blends easily into a modern interior. See less