WOOTON’S PATENT NO. 8 STANDARD GRADE ROTARY DESK

Indiana circa 1870-80s, retaining original engraved Wooton’s plaque

Item # C103209

A rare and excellent office desk designed and manufactured by the Wooton Desk Company of Indianapolis, Indiana, published as No. 8 in their retail catalog. The Wooton’s Patent desk is a cherished brand that focused on functionality and efficiency above all else - they had great pride in the longevity and simplicity of their products, noting in their 1876 catalog that “Nearly all of the so-called improvements in office desks are merely an addition of complicated slides, levers, etc., liable to get out of order and finally cast aside as worthless: on the other hand, the Secretaries and Rotary Desks are simple and durable. Their operation is as simple as opening and closing of a door and there is nothing that can possible become impaired with anything like fair usage. (p. 17)”. The truth of these statements is self evident in the fine overall condition the desk has remained in for nearly one-hundred and forty years. The rotary sides swing smoothly to allow access to twenty-four pigeon-hole slots on the left and seven flat slots on the right beside three vertical dividers. All drawers are beautifully hand dovetailed with crisp pins, each smoothly sliding in and out of the desk. Burl walnut veneers highlight the panels of every primary surface, this same burled walnut used to craft angular beveled pulls for the three drawers. An original brass plaque on the front of the desk reads “Wooton’s Rotary Desk Patented”. A black leather writing surface with gilt-tooling around the borders remains in excellent condition. The desk retains all original keyhole escutcheons and locks, though no keys. It is a very fine writing desk for anyone passionate about the complex and widely admired designs of the Wooton Desk Company.

Literature:

Illustrated Catalogue of Wooton’s Patent Cabinet Secretaries and Rotary Office Desks, 1876, p. 24

Measurements: 59 3/4” W x 32 5/8” D x 31” H

Condition Report:

No keys. Dividers for left drawer are missing. Minor scuffs and abrasions to the surface. Originality of the leather is unknown, though it remains in beautiful condition. Small loss to bottom of one tall vertical divider on right side rotary; short vertical divider on bottom flat slot of right side rotary missing.