Rare Secretary by H. H. Wiggers

Antiques > Furniture Dealer: Southampton Antiques Contact: Bruce and Meg Cummings - Email Dealer
Price: $4,950.00 USD  - Currency Converter Shipping inside United States: Quoted at time of purchase Shipping outside United States: Quoted at time of purchase

Description: Rare walnut Victorian secretary signed "Pat Feb 6, (18)77 H.H. Wiggers, Kearney & Wiggers Manufacturers, Cin'ti, O." This desk is in all original condition. It has two raised burled panels with a round signature brass medallion beneath the double step gallery. The two sides of the desk swing open with double brass hinges on either side and metal rods that mechanically pull the writing surface out when the desk is opened. The interior of the desk has four drawers in the middle and cubbies on the sides. The drawer fronts and tops of the cubbies are beautifully appointed with birdseye maple fronts. The desk has the original maroon fabric on the writing surface. The fabric is stained and could easily be replaced with a piece of leather. On such an original historically important piece we elected to keep it original and let the buyer decide on this. The desk sits on four columns with clover leaf cutouts in the base. It has a finished back. The following information was obtained from the Smithsonian Institute. "On 6 February 1877, Henry H. Wiggers of Cincinnati patented another variety of the Wooton-type desk. The patent specification for this desk or secre- tary stipulated that it was provided with a pair of hinged covers coupled to a sliding member in such a manner that the advancement of said slide causes the cornered style of the Fallows desk (illustrated in "Wisconsin Magazine of History" Vol. 35, No. 4 [Summer, 1952, p. 276), which is labeled "Moore's cabinet desk, Indianapolis, Indiana, Patented Jan. 8, 1878. (This desk) patented by Henry H. Wiggers of Cincinnati, Ohio, 6 February 1877, now in the Heinz House, Greenfield Village, Dearborn, Michigan. was listed as the Wooton Desk Manufacturing Com- pany." In fact, the 1870-1885 period was a most dynamic period in American furniture design. Moore, Wooten, Wiggins and others inundated the US Patent office with a number of innovative and interesting designs. We have never had this particular desk before. We believe it to be an important example of Victorian furniture design. Circa: 1877 Dimensions: 58"H x 33.5"W (closed) x 23"D Finish: Fair to Good original untouched condition Price: $4950.00

Status: No Longer Available	Reference#: 81191
Condition: see description	Year: see description
Title: Rare Secretary by H. H. Wiggers

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