This was in my grandparents house for as long as I can remember, surely before I was born.

It came from my great grandmothers farm before that, and likely went back one more generation.

We dated it to 1880s after some interwebs sleuthing.

Had it in storage, finally wrangled it into the basement this evening.

I’m sure liquor was never allowed in any household it was in for its first 100 years or so.
Feels a little blasphemous...

The only blasphemy in that photo is the bottle of V.O. hiding in the back row!

LOL, that bottle and a few others came from my under my aunts kitchen sink when she remodeled a couple years ago.
It's still sealed and the tax stamp is dated 1979.
I'm sure it will make adequate parts cleaner at some point.

I am sure they are all happy to see it’s still of use.

What’s under the rolltop. Seems like that area would make a nice area for liquor or glasses.

quote:

Originally posted by cslinger:
I am sure they are all happy to see it’s still of use.

What’s under the rolltop. Seems like that area would make a nice area for liquor or glasses.

Yes, some smaller bottles and various bar ware is under the rolltop.

Have some of the lower drawers full of my golf ball stash, ProV1's etc.

The desk looks great for as old as it is. Nice selection on top too.

Hidden compartments or drawer?

quote:

Originally posted by Greymann:
Hidden compartments or drawer?

Not that I’ve found...yet

That's gorgeous!

Pull the drawers out and see if anything has fallen behind them.

Might be some surprises in there still. My neighbor's 90 year old grandmother died and she went back to IL for the services and to help with some things. Turns out granny had three joints tucked in a tin next to her bed. Never saw it coming. I know this neighbor isn't a pot smoker but she joked about having a toke just because it was so wild. Some things just go by and we'd never be the wiser.

You may want to get a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the desk, or add some other form of protection.

If any of the booze runs down the side of the bottle when you pour and then you put the bottle down on the desk it will destroy the finish on the desk.

That brings back some memories. My grandma had one when I was growing up. She has passed away but my grandpa still has it at there house. Totally forgot about that desk until you posted.

quote:

Originally posted by maladat:
You may want to get a piece of glass cut to fit the top of the desk, or add some other form of protection.

If any of the booze runs down the side of the bottle when you pour and then you put the bottle down on the desk it will destroy the finish on the desk.

Precisely my first thought.

quote:

Originally posted by ElKabong:
This was in my grandparents house for as long as I can remember, surely before I was born.

Beautiful desk!! We had one in our family at one time, but it did not survive to my generation.
 
How about a picture of the inside, with the tambour rolled back? That's where all of the interesting little drawers and cubbyholes are.

 
If you ever decide to move it, they generally break apart into two self-contained sections, top and bottom. The top may be screwed or otherwise attached to the bottom in a variety of ways, inside, outside under the ledge, along the back, etc. It really doesn't take but about 4 screws placed judiciously, along with a couple of dowels for alignment, to hold it together solidly.

I inherited my dad's rolltop desk. So many drawers and cubby holes. I found a couple of secret compartments that yielded a doob from the 70s.

Is there actually room enough for a modern-day adult's knees in between the stacks of drawers? If so, that really ought to be put back to its original intended purpose.

It has a nice thick piece of glass on the inside
I will get a piece for the top I think

Very cool. I inherited my great grandfathers desk. Its crazy to see the desk I played around in my grandfathers office in my house now. I hope to get a proper office and give it its proper space but I'm just proud to have it and I think he'd be proud someone cared enough to carry it on. I imagine it would be the same for your grandma.