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Danish Modern Bookcase with Secretary Desk Johannes Sorth
Located in Fort Lauderdale, FL
Tall Danish Modern Bookcase with Secretary Desk by Johannes Sorth. Tambour door and drawers
Category

Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Bookcase With Secretary/Desk Made In Teak, Danish Design From 1960s
Located in Lejre, DK
Made of teak and dating from the 1960s, this impressive bookcase with secretary/desk is a
Category

Vintage 1960s Danish Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Teak

Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary - 18th Century
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb English mahogany bookcase from the end of the 18th century circa 1780 with a secretary Very
Category

Antique 18th Century British Georgian Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary - 18th Century
Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary - 18th Century
H 91.34 in W 39.77 in D 16.54 in
Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary Circa 1820
Located in Brussels, Brussels
Superb English mahogany bookcase from the first part of the 19th century with a secretary circa
Category

Antique Early 19th Century British Regency Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary Circa 1820
Mahogany Bookcase With Secretary Circa 1820
H 91.34 in W 44.89 in D 20.08 in
Large Display Cabinet / Bookcase with Secretary in Oak, 1900
Located in Lüdinghausen, DE
Large display cabinet with secretary restored oak bookcase Features: Six-door model with
Category

Antique 19th Century Secretaires

Materials

Oak

Fine English Queen Anne Walnut Bookcase with Secretary Desk
Located in Miami, FL
: 78" high x 40 1/2" wide x 23 1/4" deep The secretary bookcase, or secretaire, was an innovative
Category

Antique 18th Century French Queen Anne Secretaires

Materials

Mirror, Walnut

Antique Queen Anne Style Burr Walnut Bureau Bookcase Secretary Desk
Located in Keego Harbor, MI
An antique Queen Anne style burr walnut bureau bookcase with secretary desk. Circa early 20th
Category

20th Century American Victorian Desks

Materials

Walnut

English 19th Century Sheraton Secretary
Located in Baton Rouge, LA
A slender mahogany bureau bookcase with secretary desk, made in England, circa 1820. The
Category

Antique 19th Century English Sheraton Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Sheraton Secretary
English 19th Century Sheraton Secretary
H 88.5 in W 37 in D 18.25 in
Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
secretary, both lined in green tooled leather. Cubby holes and drawers are at the back with brass knob pulls
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Federal Bookcases

Materials

Leather, Glass, Mahogany

English George III Mahogany Secretary Desk with Bookcase circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY SECRETARY DESK WITH GLAZED UPPER BOOKCASE England, circa 1780 formerly with
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Bronze

English Bookcase Secretary with Moroccan Style Glass Doors, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
English secretary with glass door and three glass shelves, leather inlay on desk surface, original
Category

Antique 19th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Wood

Mid-Century Modern Walnut tall Secretary Desk Bookcase
By Broyhill Brasilia
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Mid-Century Modern tall secretary desk bookcase with doors.
Category

20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Bookcases

Materials

Walnut

Louis XVI Secretary Bookcase, South German 1780, Cherry
Located in Belmont, MA
Louis XVI secretary bookcase, South German 1780. Elegant and unique secretary bookcase with
Category

Antique 1780s German Louis XVI Bookcases

Materials

Cherry

George III English Antique Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Desk circa 1780
Located in Shippensburg, PA
GEORGE III MAHOGANY DIMINUTIVE SECRETARY WITH BOOKCASE England, circa 1780 Item # 307PZN13W A
Category

Antique 18th Century English George III Bookcases

Materials

Brass

19th Century Federal Period Duncan Phyfe Style Flame Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
By Duncan Phyfe
Located in CHARLESTON, SC
-top secretary bookcase with gorgeous lyre-shaped glazed doors. Color of mahogany has sun-faded to a
Category

Antique Early 19th Century American Neoclassical Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

English Mid 19th Century Mahogany Breakfront with Secretary Drawer
Located in Atlanta, GA
English Mid 19th Century Mahogany Breakfront with Secretary Drawer
Category

Antique 19th Century English Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

English Chippendale Mahogany Breakfront With Secretary, Circa 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany breakfront with carved molded cornice, four upper case glass doors with arched oval mullions, adjustable interior shelving, lower case concealing a slidi...
Category

Antique 1790s English George III Bookcases

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Mahogany Breakfront with Secretary, Circa 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany broken pediment breakfront with carved floral medallions, candle light molding, four upper case glass doors with adjustable shelving, lower case conceali...
Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Bookcases

Baker Furniture Style French Provincial Red Lacquered Secretary Desk with Hutch
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase
Category

Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Antique Figural Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890
Located in Big Flats, NY
Carved Flame Mahogany Side By Side Secretary with Mirror C1890 Measures - 73.5"H x 43"W x 14"D
Category

Antique Late 19th Century Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Globe Wernicke Arts & Crafts Mahogany Barrister Bookcase With Drop Front Desk
By Globe Wernicke
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous antique Arts & Crafts stacking barrister bookcase with fall front secretary desk By
Category

Early 20th Century American Arts and Crafts Bookcases

Materials

Brass

Vintage Jasper Style Drop Front Secretary Desk & Cabinet
Located in Birmingham, AL
An authentic English Country slant front chestnut secretary bookcase hutch with glass front doors
Category

Early 20th Century American Classical Bookcases

Materials

Glass, Wood

George II Mahogany Bureau Cabinet Bookcase
Located in Lymington, GB
A very impressive mahogany bureau cabinet / bookcase / secretary*, with secret compartments. In the
Category

Antique 18th Century English George II Bookcases

Materials

Mahogany

Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Queens, NY
Russian (18th Century) mahogany secretary bookcase with brass gallery pediment and trim with 2
Category

Antique Late 18th Century Russian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Russian Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
H 97.5 in W 51.5 in D 24 in
European Whitewashed Secretary Bookcase
Located in Westwood, NJ
A wonderful designed modernized 18th century style secretary bookcase with a whitewashed exterior
Category

21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Country Secretaires

Materials

Wood

European Whitewashed Secretary Bookcase
European Whitewashed Secretary Bookcase
H 99 in W 56.5 in D 22.38 in
English Mahogany Secretary With Mirrored Bookcase. Circa 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English mahogany secretary with mirrored bookcase. Secretary has a upper case broken pediment top
Category

Antique 1780s English George III Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Diminutive Antique Directoire Bookcase Secretary
Located in Bridgeport, CT
A finely constructed bookcase secretary with a chest. The tall cabinet has a pierced brass 3/4
Category

Antique 19th Century Directoire Secretaires

Materials

Marble, Brass

19th Century Empire Mahogany Bureau Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Empire secretary in West Indies mahogany, also known as Cuban mahogany, considered to
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Danish Biedermeier Commodes and Chests of Drawers

Materials

Mahogany

19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Located in Atlanta, GA
19th Century English Regency Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Knobs
Category

Antique 19th Century English Regency Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany

Chinoiserie Black Lacquered Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Jasper Furniture Company
Located in Elkhart, IN
A gorgeous Georgian Chinoiserie style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category

Late 20th Century American Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Georgian Carved Flame Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase Cabinet With Secretary Desk
By Vanleigh Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous Georgian or Chippendale style breakfront bookcase or dining cabinet with drop front
Category

Vintage 1930s American Georgian Cabinets

Materials

Brass

Henredon Georgian Walnut Drop Front Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Henredon
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Late 20th Century American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

Baker Furniture French Provincial Walnut Secretary Desk With Bookcase Hutch
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase
Category

Vintage 1960s American French Provincial Desks

Materials

Brass

Venetian Hand-Painted Blind Door Secretary with Bookcase, Circa 1900
Located in Charleston, SC
Venetian blind door secretary with a carved scrolled decorative cornice, upper case bookcase with
Category

Antique Early 1900s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Mahogany Blind Door Secretary With Bookcase, Circa 1775
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany blind door secretary with bookcase. Upper case has a carved cornice
Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

English Chippendale Mahogany Secretary / Bookcase with Interior Drawers, C. 1770
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany slant front architects secretary / bookcase with a carved dentil
Category

Antique 1770s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Antique Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase in Burled Ash
Located in Miami, FL
An exceptional Empire secretary bookcase in fine burl ash wood. Denmark or North Germany, circa
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Scandinavian Empire Secretaires

Materials

Ash, Burl

Mahogany Chippendale Style Block Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Top
Located in Milford, NH
A spectacular example of a two part mahogany secretary desk with bookcase top in the Chippendale
Category

Antique Late 19th Century American Chippendale Desks

Materials

Brass

Antique 18th Century Dutch Burled Walnut Secretary Bookcase with Antique Mirror
Located in New Orleans, LA
Antique 18th century Dutch Burled walnut secretary bookcase with fitted interior and antique mirror.
Category

Antique 18th Century Dutch Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Mirror

Fine Palermo Inlaid Burled Walnut Secretary Desk with Bookcase Top
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
Walnut. Inlaid. 2 piece. Top piece has 2 doors containing two shelves. Bottom piece has a pull down door containing 6 drawers and slots. 3 drawers. Metal hardware. Bottom piece measu...
Category

Vintage 1970s Italian Neoclassical Revival Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Walnut

Maddox French Provincial Louis XV Painted Secretary Desk With Mirrored Bookcase
By Maddox Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A gorgeous French Provincial Louis XV style bureau with drop front secretary desk and mirrored
Category

Vintage 1970s American French Provincial Desks

Materials

Brass

English 19th Century Black and Gold Secretary Bookcase with Chinoiserie Décor
Located in Atlanta, GA
An English black lacquer secretary bookcase from the 19th century, with glass doors, drop-front
Category

Antique 19th Century English Chinoiserie Secretaires

Materials

Glass, Wood

American Hepplewhite Mahogany Inlaid Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase, C. 1790
Located in Charleston, SC
American Hepplewhite mahogany satinwood string inlaid secretary bookcase with a hinged fall front
Category

Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Outstanding Country French Period 1780s era Walnut Secretary Desk with Bookcase
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
This is a superb, Period French country Louis XV secretary desk from the Normandy region of France
Category

Antique 1780s French French Provincial Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

French Ebonized Burled Walnut Secretary Desk Bookcase with Sevres Style Figures
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
bookcase top. The desk is crafted of burled walnut, bronze and porcelain Sevres style figural plaques. The
Category

Antique 1880s French Napoleon III Secretaires

Materials

Bronze

19th Century Flemish Louis XIV Secretary or Bookcase with Embossed Brass
Located in Dallas, TX
19th Century Flemish Louis XIV secretary or bookcase with embossed brass combines the talents of a
Category

Antique Mid-19th Century Belgian Louis XIV Secretaires

Materials

Brass

19th Century Scandinavian Birch Empire Bureau Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1820
Located in Miami, FL
A very fine Scandinavian Empire/Biedermeier secretary in beautiful birch wood with mahogany
Category

Antique Early 19th Century Swedish Empire Secretaires

Materials

Birch

English Chippendale Mahogany Inlaid Fall Front Secretary with Bookcase, C.1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany fall front secretary with carved molded edge finial cornice, flanking
Category

Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Original 18th Century Venetian Secretary Desk Bookcase burled walnut with inlaid
By Bassano's Ebanisteria
Located in Vigonza, Padua
durability of the furniture. It is a classic chest of drawers with upper bookcase which will certainly
Category

Antique Early 18th Century Italian Baroque Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

Unique Venetian Italian Paint Decorated Secretary Desk with Bookcase Circa 1890s
Located in Swedesboro, NJ
painted secretary desk. Done in the tradition of the Venetian style, this beautifully designed piece is a
Category

Antique 1890s Italian Neoclassical Revival Secretaires

Materials

Walnut

George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts England
Located in Atlanta, GA
George IV Mahogany Secretary Bookcase with Brass Inlay and Ormolu Mounts, England, circa 1830.
Category

Antique Early 19th Century English George IV Secretaires

Materials

Brass

20th Century Burl Walnut Bombe Secretary Bookcase with Etched Glass Doors
Located in Savannah, GA
Italian Bombe secretaire with a distinct burl walnut grain. Highlights include the original wrought iron hinges, a hand carved decorative crown and etched mirrored panels featuring a...
Category

Vintage 1920s Italian Louis XV Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl, Mirror

John Stuart Georgian Burl Wood Drop Front Secretary Desk with Bookcase Hutch
By John Stuart
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Queen Anne style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch
Category

Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks

Materials

Brass

George II Walnut Slant Front Bureau Bookcase / Secretary
Located in Woodbury, CT
George II walnut and walnut burl slant front bureau bookcase / secretary with original hand beveled
Category

Antique 18th Century British George II Secretaires

Materials

Walnut, Burl

Antique North German/Danish Empire Cylinder-Top Secretary with Bookcase, c. 1815
Located in Miami, FL
secretary with bookcase in ash with inlays and marquetry silhouettes of neoclassical Roman images. Cylinder
Category

Antique Early 19th Century German Empire Secretaires

Materials

Ash

Italian Olive Burl Wood Cabriole Leg Bombay Drop Front Secretary with Bookcase
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Very fine craftsmanship Italian made burl wood drop front secretary.
Category

20th Century Italian Arts and Crafts Desks and Writing Tables

Materials

Olive, Burl

Antique Georgian Mahogany Bookcase Secretary Collectors Doctors Cabinet 1790
Located in Portland, OR
A very rare antique George III English Mahogany secretary bookcase, with a fitted collector's or
Category

Antique 1790s English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Leather, Mahogany

English Mahogany and Satinwood Secretary Desk Bookcase, 1790-1820
Located in San Francisco, CA
a kind mahogany secretary-desk-bookcase with satinwood marquetry detail of seashell motif. The
Category

Antique Late 18th Century English Georgian Secretaires

Materials

Mahogany, Satinwood

English Chippendale Mahogany & Satinwood Fall Front Secretary w/ Bookcase C 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
English Chippendale mahogany and satinwood fall front secretary / bookcase with a molded edge
Category

Antique 1780s English Chippendale Secretaires

Materials

Brass

Italian Neoclassical Walnut Hinged Secretary / Bookcase on Fluted Legs, C. 1780
Located in Charleston, SC
Italian Neoclassical Walnut hinged slant front secretary / bookcase with molded edge cornice
Category

Antique 1780s Italian Neoclassical Secretaires

Materials

Brass, Wrought Iron

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Bookcase With Secretary For Sale on 1stDibs

At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal bookcase with secretary for your home. A bookcase with secretary — often made from wood, mahogany and glass — can elevate any home. Your living room may not be complete without a bookcase with secretary — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A bookcase with secretary made by Georgian designers — as well as those associated with Mid-Century Modern — is very popular. You’ll likely find more than one bookcase with secretary that is appealing in its simplicity, but Baker Furniture Company, Bevan Funnell Ltd. and Ethan Allen produced versions that are worth a look.

How Much is a Bookcase With Secretary?

A bookcase with secretary can differ in price owing to various characteristics — the average selling price 1stDibs is $8,807, while the lowest priced sells for $1,250 and the highest can go for as much as $85,000.

Finding the Right Case Pieces And Storage Cabinets for You

Of all the vintage storage cabinets and antique case pieces that have become popular in modern interiors over the years, dressers, credenzas and cabinets have long been home staples, perfect for routine storage or protection of personal items. 

In the mid-19th century, cabinetmakers would mimic styles originating in the Louis XIV, Louis XV and Louis XVI eras for their dressers, bookshelves and other structures, and, later, simpler, streamlined wood designs allowed these “case pieces” or “case goods” — any furnishing that is unupholstered and has some semblance of a storage component — to blend into the background of any interior. 

Mid-century modern furniture enthusiasts will cite the tall modular wall units crafted in teak and other sought-after woods of the era by the likes of George Nelson, Poul Cadovius and Finn Juhl. For these highly customizable furnishings, designers of the day delivered an alternative to big, heavy bookcases by considering the use of space — and, in particular, walls — in new and innovative ways. Mid-century modern credenzas, which, long and low, evolved from tables that were built as early as the 14th century in Italy, typically have no legs or very short legs and have grown in popularity as an alluring storage option over time. 

Although the name immediately invokes images of clothing, dressers were initially created in Europe for a much different purpose. This furnishing was initially a flat-surfaced, low-profile side table equipped with a few drawers — a common fixture used to dress and prepare meats in English kitchens throughout the Tudor period. The drawers served as perfect utensil storage. It wasn’t until the design made its way to North America that it became enlarged and equipped with enough space to hold clothing and cosmetics. The very history of case pieces is a testament to their versatility and well-earned place in any room. 

In the spirit of positioning your case goods center stage, decluttering can now be design-minded.

A contemporary case piece with open shelving and painted wood details can prove functional as a storage unit as easily as it can a room divider. Alternatively, apothecary cabinets are charming case goods similar in size to early dressers or commodes but with uniquely sized shelving and (often numerous) drawers.

Whether you’re seeking a playful sideboard that features colored glass and metal details, an antique Italian hand-carved storage cabinet or a glass-door vitrine to store and show off your collectibles, there are options for you on 1stDibs.

Questions About Bookcase With Secretary
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A Larkin secretary is a type of wooden case good produced by the Larkin Company, which opened in 1875 in Buffalo, New York. The furniture featured a pull-down writing surface and upper and lower shelves. Some also had side storage cabinets and drawers. You'll find a variety of vintage and antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    A secretary desk works with the help of hinges that secure the writing surface to the rest of the piece. To use one, you simply pull down on the wooden door to open the hinge and lower the writing surface. Return the desk to its closed position by lifting the writing surface up. You'll find a selection of secretary desks on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 22, 2021
    Barrister bookcases are made up of several distinct book shelf units which combine together to form the cabinet. This can be beneficial when moving, as the books can remain within the shelves and each shelf can move separately.
  • 1stDibs ExpertAugust 17, 2021
    A breakfront bookcase is usually a large wooden bookcase that houses either books or dishes. They’re similar in appearance to hutches in that they have glass-fronted shelving on the top and cabinets on the bottom.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    To date an antique secretary desk, start by determining the type of hinge used to secure the writing surface. Consult an authoritative resource to find out which furniture makers worked with that type of hinge. You can also look for the name of the manufacturer on the back or bottom of the piece. Find a range of expertly vetted antique secretaries on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Secretary desks originated in the early 18th century. They were typically used by secretaries and clerks and featured plenty of compacted drawers for stationary storage. On 1stDibs, find a collection of secretary desks from some of the world’s top sellers.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    A secretary desk is called by its name because of its original function. When the desks first emerged in 19th-century France, the secretaries of estates used them to conduct business. Once they finished paying bills and reconciling accounts, they could raise the hinged writing surface and close the desk. Secretary desks are the workstations of choice in many busy households, especially those with spaces pulling double duty as offices by day and living rooms, dining rooms or bedrooms at night. On 1stDibs, shop an array of secretary desks.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 17, 2023
    Yes, there can be a difference between a bookshelf and a bookcase. Although many people use the words to describe any piece of furniture with shelves for books, some manufacturers call pieces with doors bookcases and pieces without doors bookshelves. Find a variety of bookcases and bookshelves on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2024
    What IKEA bookcases are called varies. However, the Swedish furniture company is best known for its Billy bookcase, which debuted in 1979 and got its name from Billy Liljedahl, who served as IKEA's advertising manager at the time. Other IKEA bookcases include the Hemnes, the Brimnes and the Gersby. Explore a variety of IKEA furniture on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMarch 22, 2022
    The term barrister bookcase means a piece of storage furniture primarily used during the 17th and 18th centuries. Also called lawyer's bookcases, the furnishings featured wood construction and glass-paneled doors. At the time the bookcases were most popular, books were expensive luxury goods. The glass doors helped to protect them from light and dust. Shop a collection of barrister bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    A bookcase with doors is also called a bookshelf, a bookstand, a cupboard or a bookrack. It is a close-sided unit that encases books and is designed to sit on the floor. On 1stDibs find a wide variety of antique, new and vintage bookcases today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertApril 5, 2022
    Yes, you can generally put wheels on a bookcase. However, the wheels that you choose must be strong enough to support both the weight of the bookcase and the total weight of all the books you intend to store on it. As a result, industrial-strength metal casters are usually the best option for the job. You'll find a large collection of bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 12, 2021
    An ideal bookcase depth is usually between 10 and 12 inches. Shelf spacing can range from 7 to 15 inches for bookshelves, with 8 to 12 inches being the most typical. Because compact bookcases are designed for lesser volumes and libraries, they will be shallower. A small bookcase's depth is usually around 6 inches. On 1stDibs, find a wide variety of antique and vintage bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertFebruary 13, 2023
    The main difference between an étagère and a bookcase is the design. Both types of furniture have shelves. However, an étagère usually has an open back, while most bookcases have enclosed backs. Shop a range of bookcases and étagères on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 28, 2021
    An antique secretary desk will range in value depending on its authenticity and condition. The price can range from a few hundred to a few thousand dollars. On 1stDibs find the antique secretary desk you’re looking for today.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 2, 2021
    A bookcase with glass doors is also called a barrister bookcase. Designed in a cabinet style, these bookcases’ glass doors protect books and collectibles from gathering dust and allow guests to peruse your treasured volumes. The name “barrister” owes to the legal profession — barristers are experts in case law in England and traditionally required numerous law books for reference purposes to travel from chamber to chamber, and the sturdy and portable cabinets that were used to do so earned this nickname. Shop a collection of antique, vintage, and contemporary bookcases from some of the world’s top dealers on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertNovember 26, 2024
    To identify a Globe-Wernicke bookcase, look for a marking. Bookcases manufactured prior to 1899 will usually have the maker's name stenciled on a slat, along with a patent number or other information. Furniture made during the 20th century and beyond is typically identifiable by a paper label. Often, the label also includes a grade, size or pattern number for the bookcase. You can find pictures of Globe-Wernicke stencils and labels and patent, grade, size and pattern number reference guides on trusted online resources to assist you with the identification process. For more help with the process, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. On 1stDibs, explore a collection of Globe-Wernicke bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertSeptember 23, 2024
    To identify your Globe-Wernicke bookcase, search the piece for a marking. On pieces produced before 1899, you will usually find stenciled markings on a slat, while later ones will have a label. Older bookcases will frequently list identifying information, such as a patent number, which you can cross-reference with information found on trusted online resources. Newer furnishings will often display the grade and size or grade and pattern, providing you with all the information required for making an identification. If you can't find a marking on your piece, consult a certified appraiser or knowledgeable antique dealer. Explore a wide variety of Globe-Wernicke bookcases on 1stDibs.
  • 1stDibs ExpertMay 5, 2023
    A few companies made barrister bookcases, including the F. E. Hale Manufacturing Company, Globe Wernicke, Grand Rapids Furniture Company, Gunn Furniture Company and the John Danner Company. Barrister bookcases are bookcases with solid backs and removable shelving units that get stacked inside. Doors that open outward and slide away under the shelf enclose each unit. On 1stDibs, shop a range of barrister bookcases.
  • 1stDibs ExpertOctober 5, 2021
    The best wood used for building a bookcase is plywood made from hardwood. It is easily available and comes in many types. Laminated panels that can be glued together are also a great option for a bookcase. On 1stDibs, you can find a variety of antique, new and vintage wooden bookcases.

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In the hands of New York Heartwoods cofounder Megan Offner, unwanted local trees become works of design art.

These New York Architects Love a Complicated Project

From Brooklyn townhouses to Maine campgrounds, Trattie Davies and Jonathan Toews relish a challenge, like transforming a former warehouse space into the new 1stdibs Gallery.