Hi John,

Thank you for contacting Mearto with your appraisal inquiry.

In 18th- and 19th-century America, desk-and-bookcases symbolized literacy, prosperity, and civic responsibility. In colonial homes, especially in the United States, they functioned as compact centers for business, correspondence, and record keeping. The upper bookcase displayed religious texts, legal volumes, and family documents—visible markers of education and moral standing. Forms such as the secretary and slant-front desk reflected growing mercantile activity and bureaucratic order. By the 19th century, they also expressed regional craftsmanship, from New England Federal elegance to Southern adaptations.

Your desk-and-bookcase, also called a secretary bookcase, was made in the early 20th Century as part of the Colonial Revival, an important if nostalgic look at historical designs that surfaced around the time of the American Centennial in 1876. It ran parallel to more cutting edge design aesthetics of the late Victorian, Art Nouveau, Arts and Crafts and Mission styles, which were not based on historical precedent and more forward thinking. The Colonial Revival movement fostered historic preservation, standardized patriotic aesthetics, and influenced mass production of “colonial” goods while reinforcing narratives of heritage and tradition, shaping how Americans interpreted their history and expressed national pride through domestic design.

Most Colonial Revival forms are not as desirable today in the secondary (auction) market as they once were and similar Federal style examples that have come to auction recently typically bring prices ranging from $500-1,000.

Based on the photos and information provided, and subject to examination, this is:

An antique American Colonial Revival Federal style walnut and birdseye maple desk-and-bookcase
unattributed maker, circa 1900
In two parts, the upper section with outset molded cornice over mullioned glazed (glass) doors opening to a shelved interior, the lower section with hinged slant-lid opening on lopers to a divided interior with maple and birds-eye maple front short drawers, pigeon holes and hinged bowed prospect door, over two short over two short drawers and two long drawers, all with line inlay and brass batwing pulls, on tall French feet. Interior of drawer with family history inscribed.
Height: 82 inches; width: 38 inches; depth: 21 inches
CONDITION: this appears to be in good condition; minor wear commensurate to age expected, including scuffs, scratches, ink stains and minor cracks or separations.
PROVENANCE: Inherited
$ 500-1,000*
*represents a fair-market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary.

Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, or questions/concerns, and thank you again for using Mearto.
~ Delia