Federal Secretary Bookcase
Rare Antique Federal American Mahogany Secretary Writing Desk Gothic Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
A fine and impressive Federal Period Mahogany secretary and bookcase, circa 1830s. The bookcase
Category
Antique Early 19th Century Federal Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
H 77 in W 44.25 in D 21 in
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
H 83 in W 42.75 in D 21 in
Very Fine Antique Secretary Bookcase with Brass Eagle Crest
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Well constructed with fine mahogany veneer with Federal style brass eagle finial on a pedestal. The
Category
Antique Late 19th Century Federal Bookcases
Materials
Leather, Glass, Mahogany
18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Apothecary Cabinet, Secretary
Located in Dallas, TX
18th century Dutch neoclassical apothecary cabinet ~ secretary was obviously a product of sublimely
Category
Antique Late 18th Century Dutch Neoclassical Revival Bookcases
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Diminutive Two Part Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary
Located in Milford, NH
A wonderful diminutive size Federal style two part inlaid figured mahogany bookcase, its upper case
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
American Federal Inlaid Mahogany Bookcase Secretary, 19th Century
Located in Savannah, GA
19th century American federal inlaid mahogany bookcase secretary.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Baker Furniture Georgian Mahogany Breakfront Bookcase With Secretary Desk
By Baker Furniture Company
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Georgian or Federal style bureau with drop front secretary desk and bookcase hutch top
Category
Vintage 1960s American Georgian Desks
Materials
Brass
H 82 in W 39.5 in D 18.25 in
Large Mahogany Secretary Desk
Located in Annville, PA
Inspired by an antique desk and bookcase this Large Mahogany Secretary Desk from Niagara Furniture
Category
2010s Federal Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Secretary Writing Desk
By Kindel Furniture
Located in Dayton, OH
Kindel Winterthur Collection Mahogany Goddard Townsend Blockfront Secretary Writing Desk. Made from
Category
Late 20th Century Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
H 42 in W 46 in D 26 in
People Also Browsed
Bespoke Handmade Belgian Linen Sofa
Located in Jesteburg, DE
Introducing the home collection.
An iconic, unobtrusive design.
A small selection of timeless Flemish designs made by hand for us in a small third generation workshop in Belgium....
Category
2010s Belgian Modern Sofas
Materials
Linen
French Inspired Upholstered Linen Bergère Chairs
Located in Brea, CA
French inspired upholstered linen bergère chairs
These French inspired chair are based on an original Napoleon III style pair of chairs. Napoleon III was the nephew of the Napoleon t...
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Bergere Chairs
Materials
Linen
Tiffany & Co. English King Gilded Flatware Service, 216 Pieces
By John C. Moore, Tiffany & Co.
Located in New Orleans, LA
This timeless 216-piece flatware set from the famed Tiffany & Co. includes place settings for 12, housed in its original Tiffany & Co. fitted chest. The set is further heightened by ...
Category
20th Century American Tableware
Materials
Silver, Sterling Silver
George III Mahogany Astral Glazed Secretaire Bookcase
Located in Basingstoke, Hampshire
An early 19th century astral glazed bureau bookcase of large proportions. Displaying a pair of astral glazed doors. The base houses four long drawers, one enclosing a large fitted se...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British George III Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Classic Empire Center Table, Oatmeal
Located in Westwood, NJ
A Classic Empire style grey cerused oak oatmeal stained center table with a carved ogee edge, raised on an octagonal pedestal base.
Dimensions: 42" W x 42" D x 30" H.
Category
21st Century and Contemporary Vietnamese Empire Center Tables
Materials
Wood
Outstanding Quality Antique George III Mahogany Inlaid Bureau Bookcase
Located in Suffolk, GB
Outstanding quality antique George III mahogany inlaid bureau bookcase having an outstanding quality carved cornice above a pair of mahogany inlaid satinwood astral glazed doors open...
Category
Antique Early 1800s English George III Bookcases
Materials
Other
H 87.6 in W 47.25 in D 21.26 in
French Bookcase or Bibliothèque Louis Philippe Washed Oak Original Glass, c1800s
Located in Chicago, IL
Antique French Bibliothèque, or antique French bookcase was constructed in the style referred to as Louis Philippe (King Louis Philippe I 1830–1848). Our Antique Louis Philippe Frenc...
Category
Antique 1850s French Louis Philippe Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Wood, Oak
H 114.5 in W 112.75 in D 19 in
19th Century Biedermeier or Empire Piano Lars P. Cornwall
Located in Berlin, DE
Cuba mahogany veneer, partial solid mahogany wood
As an instrument made in Stockholm, it is already a rarity, since the capital or region was for Tafelklaviere Stuttgart. There th...
Category
Antique 19th Century German Biedermeier Musical Instruments
Materials
Mahogany
Huge Fully Restored Chesterfield Hand Dyed Brown Leather Hearth Footstool
By Chesterfield
Located in GB
We are delighted to offer for sale this very rare original, extra large, late Victorian, fully restored, Chesterfield cigar brown leather hearth footstool
A very good looking coll...
Category
Antique Late 19th Century English Late Victorian Footstools
Materials
Leather
H 14.77 in W 60.04 in D 34.26 in
Minton Mazarine Extensive Pristine Dinner Service Cobalt Blue & Gold 232 Pcs
By Minton
Located in Great Barrington, MA
It's always time to entertain! This is one of the most elegant and versatile patterns imaginable in a Classic and rare Minton cobalt blue pattern with raised paste gold on a white gr...
Category
Vintage 1980s English Neoclassical Porcelain
Materials
Porcelain
Original Paint Swedish Secretary
Located in Tetbury, Gloucestershire
An unusual Swedish Secretary from Jamtland with a three door design on the top section. A folding front desk opens to drawers and storage space, beneath this are three drawers, and a...
Category
Antique 19th Century Swedish Secretaires
Materials
Wood
English Victorian late 19th Display-Bookcase Secretary Breakfront Cabinet
Located in Miami, FL
Stunning antique English Victorian St great quality four doors bookcase display writing desk cabinet in flamed solid mahogany, circa 1890.
Elegant masterfully crafted refined piece o...
Category
Antique 1850s English Victorian Cabinets
Materials
Mahogany
H 90.5 in W 86.5 in D 19 in
American Federal Mahogany & Satinwood Butler's Desk with Paw Feet. NY, C. 1810
Located in Hollywood, SC
American Federal mahogany butler's desk with a carved molded edge, three upper drawers with original brass knobs, sliding fall front interior desk with Satinwood drawers and pigeon h...
Category
Antique 1810s American Federal Desks
Materials
Brass
H 49 in W 47 in D 22.75 in
19th Century French Napoleon III Boulle Centre Table
By André-Charles Boulle
Located in Nashville, TN
Good condition Ebonized Napoleon III Bedel & Cie Parisian made Boulle style centre table. One centre drawer, four cabriolet legs. The table is heavily decorated with bronze sabots, k...
Category
Antique 1890s French Napoleon III Center Tables
Materials
Tortoise Shell
Louis XVI Style Bunk Beds/Matching Pair of Single Beds Made by La Maison London
By La Maison London
Located in London, Park Royal
Louis XVI style bunk beds, exclusive to La Maison London: Hand carved featuring a band of intricate laurel leaves along the side bars and hand finished to order (picture shows a pale...
Category
2010s British Louis XVI Beds and Bed Frames
Materials
Wood
H 87.01 in W 41.34 in D 88.59 in
American 18th Century Federal Mahogany Chest of Drawers
Located in Carmel, CA
Sheraton style chest with four graduated drawers with inlay banding and cock beading about the perimeter. The chest has a curvaceous apron and French foot. Top is one board wide. Ori...
Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Commodes and Chests of Drawers
Materials
Mahogany
Recent Sales
Maryland Federal Hepplewhite Manner Secretary Bookcase
Located in Woodbury, CT
A Federal period pale mahogany Hepplewhite manner secretary bookcase with very fine rope and string
Category
Antique 1780s American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Pine
19th C. American Bookcase
Located in Savannah, GA
Federal Mahogany secretary/bookcase.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Monumental Classical Mahogany Bookcase Probably Meeks, NY, circa 1830
Located in Providence, RI
This secretary is a masterpiece with exceptional architectural features. Note the convex pediment
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
Fine Inlaid Mahogany Federal / Hepplewhite Breakfront, Rhode Island, circa 1800
Located in Providence, RI
used for a ceramic or a bust, etc. We have an associated eagle of the same date as the secretary (see
Category
Antique Early 1800s American Hepplewhite Bookcases
Materials
Mahogany
H 95 in W 70 in D 24 in
Federal Hepplewhite Inlaid Secretary/Desk and Bookcase/ New Hampshire
Located in Providence, RI
This is an exuberant, high style secretary that employs the use of contrasting wood typical of
Category
Antique 1790s American Hepplewhite Desks
Materials
Mahogany
Inlaid Figured Mahogany Federal or Hepplewhite Secretaire, Seymour School
Located in Providence, RI
slant lids desks, plus a bookcase above, all in a case piece of pleasing size. The glass stands out in
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Hepplewhite Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Antique American Federal Mahogany Drop-Front Butler's Desk, circa 1830
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique American Federal secretary bookcase features mahogany construction with long drawers with
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century American Federal Desks
Materials
Glass, Mahogany
Antique Mahogany Federal Secretary Cabinet Bookcase
Located in North York, ON
This is an early 20th century classic Federal style American cabinet. Made with the exquisite
Category
Vintage 1930s American Bookcases
Materials
Satinwood
Federal Secretary Breakfront
Located in Westwood, NJ
Salem, Massachusetts mahogany satinwood inlaid Butler's breakfront bookcase with rare eglomise
Category
Antique 19th Century Bookcases
Vintage Walnut Bubble Glass Curio Secretary Bookcase Writing Desk Cabinet
Located in Dayton, OH
Vintage library secretary desk with bubble glass bookcase, circa 1970s/1980s. Inspired by a blend
Category
Vintage 1970s Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Walnut
Antique Warsaw Flame Mahogany English Georgian Butlers Secretary Desk Bookcase
Located in Dayton, OH
Antique Warsaw Furniture Mfg Co Federal or Georgian stepback butlers secretary desk and bookcase
Category
Early 20th Century American Georgian Bookcases
Materials
Brass
H 80.25 in W 37 in D 18 in
American 19th Century Federal Period Secretary Bookcase
Located in Southampton, NY
American Federal mahogany flame grain and satinwood inlay secretary bookcase.
Category
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Federal Style Mahogany & Cherry Tambour Secretary Desk and Bookcase
By Hickory Chair Furniture Company
Located in Milford, NH
A beautiful Sheraton, Federal style, two part Mount Vernon Hickory Chair Company cherry secretary
Category
1990s American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Cherry, Mahogany, Satinwood
Federal Mahogany Secretary Desk With Bookcase Attributed to Imperial Furniture
Located in South Bend, IN
A beautiful Federal style bureau with tambour doors, fold-out desk, and bookcase hutch top
Category
Vintage 1940s American Federal Desks
Materials
Brass
H 81.25 in W 36.25 in D 18.5 in
George Winthrop Carved Mahogany Drop Front Secretary & Bookcase, circa 1950
Located in Big Flats, NY
A vintage George Winthrop secretary features mahogany construction with upper case having broken
Category
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Glass
American Federal Birch Inlaid Secretary Bookcase
Located in Essex, MA
American Federal Birch and Birch Inlaid Secretary Bookcase. Northern New England. Flame birch
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Birch, Pine
American Federal Two-Piece Secretary Bookcase
Located in Bridgeport, CT
Solid mahogany with segmented glass doors, three wood shelves, scalloped apron, checkerboard inlay, and leather-top pullout writing surface. Three-over-three drawers, brass hardware....
Category
Antique 1810s American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Massachusetts Federal Hepplewhite Secretary with Bookcase in Mahogany
Located in Miami, FL
A very beautiful and exceptional Hepplewhite secretary bookcase from Massachusetts, probably Boston
Category
Antique Late 18th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Kingwood, Mahogany, Satinwood
American Breakfront Bookcase "Library Bookcase with Wings"
Located in New York, NY
the doors of secretaries, bookcases, etc. were actually illustrated on eight plates because of the
Category
Antique 19th Century American Neoclassical Bookcases
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Wood
Antique Federal Inlaid, Carved & Filigree Mahogany Secretary Bookcase
Located in Big Flats, NY
Antique Federal mahogany secretary features the top section a double glass door cabinet bookcase
Category
Antique Early 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Glass, Mahogany, Satinwood
Tall Federal Style Drop Front Secretary Individual Pains Glass Door Bookcase
By Baker Furniture Company, Drexel
Located in Rockaway, NJ
Tall Federal Style drop front secretary individual pains glass door bookcase. Stunning exotic wood
Category
20th Century American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Pearwood, Hardwood
Federal Secretary/Bookcase
Located in Alexandria, VA
This exceptional Hepplewhite secretary/bookcase features very rare drawers behind doors in the base
Category
Antique 19th Century Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany, Satinwood, Poplar
Salem Massachusetts Federal Secretary Bookcase
Located in Woodbury, CT
In the Hepplewhite manner, a finely inlaid crotch and flame figured mahogany secretary bookcase of
Category
Antique 18th Century and Earlier American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Important Federal Inlaid Mahogany Tambour Cylinder Secretary Bookcase
By John Aitken 1
Located in New York, NY
IMPORTANT FEDERAL INLAID MAHOGANY
TAMBOUR CYLINDAR SECRETARY BOOKCASE
Attributed to John Aitken
Category
Antique 1790s American Federal Secretaires
Materials
Rosewood, Mahogany
New England Federal Period Secretary Bookcase
Located in Great Barrington, MA
small drawers and pigeon holes and a bookcase top section with Gothic arched glazed doors. The brass
Category
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Brass
Inlaid Mahogany Federal Hepplewhite Secretary Bookcase, MA.
Located in Providence, RI
This small scale secretary is a well-documented form that was produced c. 1790-1810 and is
Category
Antique 19th Century American Secretaires
Materials
Mahogany
Late Federal Fall Front Secretary, circa 1820, New England
Located in Alexandria, VA
with pine and ash secondary wood, old French polish, original brass ormolu hardware. Bookcase section
Category
Antique 1820s American Federal Secretaires
Early 19th Century Secretary – Bookcase
Located in San Francisco, CA
A handsome Federal mahogany and bird's-eye maple Secretary book case. We think this was made in
Category
Antique 19th Century American Federal Bookcases
Materials
Wood
Get Updated with New Arrivals
Save "Federal Secretary Bookcase", and we’ll notify you when there are new listings in this category.
Federal Secretary Bookcase For Sale on 1stDibs
At 1stDibs, there are many versions of the ideal federal secretary bookcase for your home. Each federal secretary bookcase for sale was constructed with extraordinary care, often using wood, mahogany and hardwood. Your living room may not be complete without a federal secretary bookcase — find older editions for sale from the 18th Century and newer versions made as recently as the 20th Century. A federal secretary bookcase, designed in the Neoclassical style, is generally a popular piece of furniture.
How Much is a Federal Secretary Bookcase?
Prices for a federal secretary bookcase can differ depending upon size, time period and other attributes — at 1stDibs, they begin at $1,350 and can go as high as $30,000, while the average can fetch as much as $9,000.
Finding the Right secretaires for You
Your antique, new or vintage secretary desk has become the (chic) saving grace of the "new normal" at home.
Simply put, a secretary desk is a multifunctional piece of furniture with a hinged writing surface that folds open or drops down. When the leaf is folded out, small inner storage compartments — pigeonholes, cubbies, recesses or drawers — are revealed.
Traditionally, a secretary is composed of two parts — a chest of drawers on the bottom and a cabinet with shelves on the top. Taking its name from the French word for the piece, secrétaire, the secretary desk dates back to the 18th century, when Paris-based cabinetmaker Jean-François Oeben, known for his exquisite marquetry and clever mechanical desks, is thought to have invented the secrétaire à abbattant, or drop-leaf desk.
While the defining drop-down feature of the secretary desk has remained constant, the materials used, as well as its configuration, size and style have evolved over time.
At first, secretaries were typically made from exotic woods, like rosewood, tulipwood and kingwood; later, hardwoods like cherry, maple, oak and mahogany were more common. The desks also became lighter, with space carved out of the lower half for the writer’s feet or with drawers replaced by legs — making them more table-like.
When open, the secretary is a dynamic, versatile Wunderkammer. When closed, it’s a sophisticated, space-saving piece of furniture.
“A fine secretary with a good provenance adds stature and credence to its owner — it is a cornerstone piece,” says antiques dealer Stanley Weiss, who specializes in 18th- and 19th-century English and American furniture. “In this disposable world, fine furniture is always passed on and speaks to who its owner is.”
No matter what style or period you choose, and no matter how you decide to use it, the timeless, flexible secretary desk is bound to become an indispensable part of your daily routine.
Browse a range of antique and vintage secretary desks on 1stDibs, including mid-century modern secretaires, Georgian secretaires and others.
Read More
The Ultimate Guide to Types of Tables for the Home
Whether you’re just moving in or ready to give your home a makeover, our guide will give you pointers on tables that are fitting for every room, nook and hallway.
What Exactly Is a Secretary Desk, and What Is It Used For?
The furniture equivalent of a Swiss Army knife, it's the multifunctional piece you didn't know you needed.
This Shelving System with Oxidized Brass Tubes Is Retro and Futuristic at Once
Italian studio DimoreMilano mustered great ingenuity when crafting these sculptural shelves, which are built without any screws.
28 Cheerful Home Bars, Where Everybody (Literally) Knows Your Name
Simple or sophisticated, equipped with console, cart or custom cabinetry, these stylish bar areas deserve a toast.
Ask an Interior Designer: Work-from-Home Edition
Leaping into a design project, whether it's refreshing the bedroom or redoing the whole house, can be overwhelming. Luckily, we know more than a few interior designers. You asked questions on Instagram, and now they're answering.
Collected and Eclectic, ‘Wunderkammern’ Are Back in a Big Way
Introduced nearly 500 years ago, curiosity cabinets are finding new fans among today's collectors and designers.
Meet the Incredible Woman Transforming Fallen Trees into Sleek Furniture
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.
More Ways To Browse
Glazed Door Secretary
Georgian Open Bookcase
Secretary Desk Bookcase 19th Century
Flame Mahogany Secretary
Federal Mahogany Stand
Antique Heirloom Rings
English Regency Breakfront
Early 19th Century Mahogany Open Bookcase
Tall Chest Early American
Antique Glass Cabinet With Secretary
Antique Wood Corner Bookcase
Classical Secretary
Drop Front Walnut Secretary
Greek Key Design Ring
Doctor Cabinet
Bookcase With File
Doctors Cabinet
Antique Glass Breakfront