Comments on: Everyman’s Desk – The History of the Larkin Desk http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk Get the Most from Your Antiques & Collectibles Fri, 10 Feb 2012 23:42:30 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Liz http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-40566 Liz Sun, 30 Jan 2011 00:18:42 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-40566 When I was growing up, my parents were antique collectors. One of my favorite pieces in their collection was a Larkin Chautauqua desk. It was in pretty rough shape when the acquired it and my father's hobby was to restore their furniture pieces. While working on the desk, he removed the backing of the mirror. We were quite surprised to find a complete section of the New York Globe newspaper dated December 31, 1899 used as padding for the mirror. Sadly, the desk is no longer in the family, but the style remains a favorite of mine and I would love to have another. Thanks for the great article that filled in the pieces for me about the history of the Larkin Company and what I grew up knowing as the Larkin Soap Desk. When I was growing up, my parents were antique collectors. One of my favorite pieces in their collection was a Larkin Chautauqua desk. It was in pretty rough shape when the acquired it and my father’s hobby was to restore their furniture pieces. While working on the desk, he removed the backing of the mirror. We were quite surprised to find a complete section of the New York Globe newspaper dated December 31, 1899 used as padding for the mirror.

Sadly, the desk is no longer in the family, but the style remains a favorite of mine and I would love to have another. Thanks for the great article that filled in the pieces for me about the history of the Larkin Company and what I grew up knowing as the Larkin Soap Desk.

]]> By: Debbie O'Neill http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-39104 Debbie O'Neill Thu, 13 Jan 2011 13:56:40 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-39104 I have a Larkin slant front oak desk that belonged to my Great Grandfather. We just about abandoned the oak desk when we moved from our Nebraska farmhouse into town in the 1960s. I was 13 and I asked my dad to take me back to the empty farmhouse so I could bring the desk to town and refinish it. I love this sturdy desk and I really do use it everyday. My uncle once told me that when he was a child, they were not allowed to open Grand Daddy's desk, it had all his important papers. Funny thing is that I just now realized it is a Larkin desk by the instruction sheet glued to the back of the desk on how to uncrate the desk. It also instructs you to polish the desk with Larkin polish to remove dust from travel. Signed Larkin Co. Also, there appears to be "No. 272" lightly marked on the back upper left corner. I have a Larkin slant front oak desk that belonged to my Great Grandfather. We just about abandoned the oak desk when we moved from our Nebraska farmhouse into town in the 1960s. I was 13 and I asked my dad to take me back to the empty farmhouse so I could bring the desk to town and refinish it. I love this sturdy desk and I really do use it everyday. My uncle once told me that when he was a child, they were not allowed to open Grand Daddy’s desk, it had all his important papers. Funny thing is that I just now realized it is a Larkin desk by the instruction sheet glued to the back of the desk on how to uncrate the desk. It also instructs you to polish the desk with Larkin polish to remove dust from travel. Signed Larkin Co. Also, there appears to be “No. 272″ lightly marked on the back upper left corner.

]]> By: Patrick Sheehan http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-35353 Patrick Sheehan Sun, 28 Nov 2010 01:55:04 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-35353 What a great article! My brother had a Larkin drop-front desk that was painted an ugly bright red and he finally refinished into a beautiful piece. When my dad found another Larkin drop front for sale at $25, I jumped at the chance to get my own. It was painted a horrid olive green. Years after we had from moved western NY across the country to Oregon, my wife finally bit the bullet and had it refinished. It languished as a mere ornament in a corner of our tiny home for years until just recently when she wondered aloud how she could relocate it to a spot where she could actually use it as a desk. We made a switcheroo with a bookcase and it was finally living up to its potential in a matter of minutes. At that point we decided to get the skinny on Larkins and were amazed to see a duplicate of our beauty in the top photo of this article. It was more fun to realize that we grew up near Buffalo and the Roycroft colony in Aurora (which we had previously toured with my dear Aunt Janet Peters, our resident antique expert. Thanks for solving the Larkin mystery with such wonderful connections. What a great article! My brother had a Larkin drop-front desk that was painted an ugly bright red and he finally refinished into a beautiful piece. When my dad found another Larkin drop front for sale at $25, I jumped at the chance to get my own. It was painted a horrid olive green. Years after we had from moved western NY across the country to Oregon, my wife finally bit the bullet and had it refinished. It languished as a mere ornament in a corner of our tiny home for years until just recently when she wondered aloud how she could relocate it to a spot where she could actually use it as a desk. We made a switcheroo with a bookcase and it was finally living up to its potential in a matter of minutes. At that point we decided to get the skinny on Larkins and were amazed to see a duplicate of our beauty in the top photo of this article. It was more fun to realize that we grew up near Buffalo and the Roycroft colony in Aurora (which we had previously toured with my dear Aunt Janet Peters, our resident antique expert. Thanks for solving the Larkin mystery with such wonderful connections.

]]> By: Matthew Babson http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-32322 Matthew Babson Mon, 18 Oct 2010 00:17:26 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-32322 I found a Larkin desk in an old barn today. It appears to be a Chautauqua desk as in the top picture. It has a dark finish and appears to be quarter sawn oak. It is missing the drop front and the mirror. Do you know of any source for either of these items? Thank you for providing this history. I found a Larkin desk in an old barn today. It appears to be a Chautauqua desk as in the top picture. It has a dark finish and appears to be quarter sawn oak. It is missing the drop front and the mirror. Do you know of any source for either of these items?

Thank you for providing this history.

]]> By: Fred Taylor http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-30503 Fred Taylor Sat, 25 Sep 2010 14:32:14 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-30503 Suzanne - The rod was used to hang a curtain to hide all the books in the bookcase. It is shown in the 1901 catalog. If you send me your email address to info@furnituredetetcive.com I will email you a scan of that page. Thanks for posting. Fred Taylor Worthologist www.furnituredetective.com info@furnituredetective.com Suzanne – The rod was used to hang a curtain to hide all the books in the bookcase. It is shown in the 1901 catalog. If you send me your email address to info@furnituredetetcive.com I will email you a scan of that page.

Thanks for posting.

Fred Taylor
Worthologist
http://www.furnituredetective.com
info@furnituredetective.com

]]> By: Suzanne Van Pelt http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-30496 Suzanne Van Pelt Sat, 25 Sep 2010 12:57:36 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-30496 I have purchased what I believe is a Larkin desk. There are two shelves below the drop leaf. At the top of the shelf just below the drop leaf is a metal rod which is original to the desk. What was that rod's function? We would love to know! I have purchased what I believe is a Larkin desk. There are two shelves below the drop leaf. At the top of the shelf just below the drop leaf is a metal rod which is original to the desk. What was that rod’s function? We would love to know!

]]> By: Fred Taylor http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-23337 Fred Taylor Fri, 16 Jul 2010 13:59:32 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-23337 Bill - Most early 20th century locks work on a very basic key. You can order the standard basic key from Van Dykes here. http://www.vandykes.com/product/206682/antique-brass-skeleton-key-blank You may have to file the blade a little to make it work. Here is the link to my WorthPoint column about how the locks and keys work. http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/keys-to-antique-furniture-locks If you still have trouble with the lock email me at info@furnituredetective.com. Regards, Fred Taylor Worthologist www.furnituredetective.com info@furnituredetective.com Bill – Most early 20th century locks work on a very basic key. You can order the standard basic key from Van Dykes here. http://www.vandykes.com/product/206682/antique-brass-skeleton-key-blank

You may have to file the blade a little to make it work.

Here is the link to my WorthPoint column about how the locks and keys work. http://www.worthpoint.com/blog-entry/keys-to-antique-furniture-locks

If you still have trouble with the lock email me at info@furnituredetective.com.

Regards,

Fred Taylor
Worthologist
http://www.furnituredetective.com
info@furnituredetective.com

]]> By: bill willis http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-22915 bill willis Tue, 13 Jul 2010 21:31:38 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-22915 Dear Sir: I have an old Larkin side by side bookcase/desk and the lock key has been misplaced. Please give me some direction as to how I may obtain a key. Thank you. Bill Dear Sir: I have an old Larkin side by side bookcase/desk and the lock key has been misplaced. Please give me some direction as to how I may obtain a key. Thank you. Bill

]]> By: Curt Kentner http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-6733 Curt Kentner Fri, 05 Feb 2010 19:59:29 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-6733 I have seen examples of the drop front with both chains and metal hinges. Is one of these the way they were always made or is either way accurate? I have seen examples of the drop front with both chains and metal hinges. Is one of these the way they were always made or is either way accurate?

]]> By: Guy http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5403 Guy Sun, 01 Nov 2009 06:19:40 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5403 Hi Emma, How are you? Are you selling your chautauqua table? I'm interesting in buying one for my daughter. If so, please let me know - guyjoules@gmail.com. Thanks, Guy. Hi Emma,

How are you?

Are you selling your chautauqua table? I’m interesting in buying one for my daughter.

If so, please let me know – guyjoules@gmail.com.

Thanks,
Guy.

]]> By: Rene' Jaworski http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5362 Rene' Jaworski Thu, 29 Oct 2009 01:56:30 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5362 I wanted to tell you that I found your article, pictures and comments most helpful! I found a fantastic set of, what I thought were shelves, sadly sitting on the side of the road here in Detroit, MI. I scooped it up, brought it home and proceeded to strip the paint and sand it down. While I was working on my treasure, I discovered a seal on the back. The seal is complete but shaded,however, I managed to make out "J.D.Larkin Soap Buffalo, NY". So I went to work researching the name. After reading your article and doing some further research - I realized what I have is an old American Oak Larkin Drop Front Desk! The drop front is missing and the mirror and scroll work are gone but it is solid oak, sturdy and will be wonderful after restoration! I am curious, does anyone know where I might find parts or pieces to complete the drop front? There are small holes in the wood where I bet the brackets connected. How exciting! Thank you for your help! What a treasure I found in the trash! I wanted to tell you that I found your article, pictures and comments most helpful! I found a fantastic set of, what I thought were shelves, sadly sitting on the side of the road here in Detroit, MI. I scooped it up, brought it home and proceeded to strip the paint and sand it down. While I was working on my treasure, I discovered a seal on the back. The seal is complete but shaded,however, I managed to make out “J.D.Larkin Soap Buffalo, NY”. So I went to work researching the name. After reading your article and doing some further research – I realized what I have is an old American Oak Larkin Drop Front Desk! The drop front is missing and the mirror and scroll work are gone but it is solid oak, sturdy and will be wonderful after restoration!
I am curious, does anyone know where I might find parts or pieces to complete the drop front? There are small holes in the wood where I bet the brackets connected. How exciting! Thank you for your help! What a treasure I found in the trash!

]]> By: Toni http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5361 Toni Wed, 28 Oct 2009 21:50:27 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5361 Did they also get dining tables for soap coupons? That's the story in our family about the beautiful quarter sawn oak dining table that is in my Dining Room now. I've never seen one like it. The center pedestal does not separate when the table is extended. 2 legs at each end of the table drop down for support when the table is extended. The pedestal has 4 legs that have what looks like spoon carving. As children,we 4 cousins would each sit on one of those curvy legs and hide from Grandma. We still love it. Did they also get dining tables for soap coupons?
That’s the story in our family about the beautiful quarter sawn oak dining table that is in my Dining Room now. I’ve never seen one like it. The center pedestal does not separate when the table is extended. 2 legs at each end of the table drop down for support when the table is extended.
The pedestal has 4 legs that have what looks like spoon carving. As children,we 4 cousins would each sit on one of those curvy legs and hide from Grandma. We still love it.

]]> By: Nancy http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5202 Nancy Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:31:49 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5202 Whoops! I forgot to specify that the desk my Grandmother (b. 1880? - d. 1971) had was the Chautauqua style desk. Nancy Whoops! I forgot to specify that the desk my Grandmother (b. 1880? – d. 1971) had was the Chautauqua style desk. Nancy

]]> By: Nancy http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5201 Nancy Tue, 20 Oct 2009 03:29:38 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5201 My father (b. 1910 or 1911 - d.1981)remembered Larkin soap. My maternal grandmother had a Larkin desk that I loved. I let it go to another person after she died as I didn't have room for it at the time. My father (b. 1910 or 1911 – d.1981)remembered Larkin soap. My maternal grandmother had a Larkin desk that I loved. I let it go to another person after she died as I didn’t have room for it at the time.

]]> By: Fred taylor http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5185 Fred taylor Mon, 19 Oct 2009 11:58:05 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5185 Emma - Larkin Chautauqua desks, like almost everything else, have suffered in the current market. Here are four examples that sold at auction in the last two years ranging from $125 to $310. http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2969128 $310 1/07 http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3583720 $200 5/07 http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4713970 $125 1/08 http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5550360 $200 8/08 Most sell in the $200 range. Fred Taylor Worthologist Emma – Larkin Chautauqua desks, like almost everything else, have suffered in the current market. Here are four examples that sold at auction in the last two years ranging from $125 to $310.

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/2969128
$310 1/07

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/3583720
$200 5/07

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/4713970
$125 1/08

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/5550360
$200 8/08

Most sell in the $200 range.

Fred Taylor
Worthologist

]]> By: Emma http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5178 Emma Sun, 18 Oct 2009 17:24:06 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5178 I think I have a Chautauqua Larkin desk just like the one in the picture. It has the original plywood back and original mirror. It was given to me as a gift years ago. How would I find out how much it is worth? I don't own any other antiques so I don't know much about the process. Any advise you can give would be appreciated! I think I have a Chautauqua Larkin desk just like the one in the picture. It has the original plywood back and original mirror. It was given to me as a gift years ago. How would I find out how much it is worth? I don’t own any other antiques so I don’t know much about the process. Any advise you can give would be appreciated!

]]> By: KathyM http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5177 KathyM Sun, 18 Oct 2009 14:27:31 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5177 This was an especially fun article. Thanks! This was an especially fun article. Thanks!

]]> By: Terry http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5162 Terry Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:59:07 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5162 I have a number of the Larkin 75th anniversary tokens made of bronze. I even have one about 3" in diamater. My grandfather gave them to me as a youngster in the 1950's. I have a number of the Larkin 75th anniversary tokens made of bronze. I even have one about 3″ in diamater. My grandfather gave them to me as a youngster in the 1950′s.

]]> By: Sharon http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5161 Sharon Fri, 16 Oct 2009 16:49:05 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5161 The legacy of the Larkin Company lives on in Buffalo, NY. The community is near completion of a $50 Million plus renovation of the Darwin Martin house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Darwin Martin was the Chief Financial Officer for the Larkin Company. Mr. Wright also designed the corporate headquarters, known as the Larkin building, but sadly it was demolished and is now a parking lot. The legacy of the Larkin Company lives on in Buffalo, NY. The community is near completion of a $50 Million plus renovation of the Darwin Martin house, designed by Frank Lloyd Wright. Darwin Martin was the Chief Financial Officer for the Larkin Company. Mr. Wright also designed the corporate headquarters, known as the Larkin building, but sadly it was demolished and is now a parking lot.

]]> By: Larry Brill http://www.worthpoint.com/article/everymans-desk-history-of-the-larkin-desk/comment-page-1#comment-5159 Larry Brill Fri, 16 Oct 2009 15:50:49 +0000 http://www.worthpoint.com/?p=2486756#comment-5159 won my first 4 at an action over 50 years ago...50 cents each. Now we have a set of about 20. Love 'em. won my first 4 at an action over 50 years ago…50 cents each. Now we have a set of about 20. Love ‘em.

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