Vintage Drexel "Composite" Series Writing Desk
About the Item
- Creator:Drexel (Manufacturer)
- Dimensions:Height: 29.5 in (74.93 cm)Width: 62 in (157.48 cm)Depth: 26 in (66.04 cm)
- Style:Mid-Century Modern (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:Mid-20th Century
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Minor losses. Minor fading. Some light scuffs on part of veneer and scratches on corners, some finish fading on top, part of trim broken.
- Seller Location:Brooklyn, NY
- Reference Number:
Drexel
While vintage Drexel Furniture dining tables, dressers and other pieces remain highly desirable for enthusiasts of mid-century modern design, the manufacturer's story actually begins decades before its celebrated postwar-era Declaration line took shape.
In 1903, in the small town of Drexel in the foothills of North Carolina’s Blue Ridge Mountains, six partners came together to found a company that would become one of the country’s leading furniture producers. The first offerings from Drexel Furniture were simple: a bed, washstand and bureau all crafted from native oakwood, sold as a bedroom suite for $14.50.
One of Drexel’s early innovations was to employ staff designers, something the company initiated in the 1930s. This focus on design, which few other furniture companies were committing to at the time, allowed Drexel to respond to a variety of new and traditional tastes. This included making pieces inspired by historic European furniture, like the popular French Provincial–style Touraine bedroom and dining group that borrowed its curves from Louis XV-era furniture. Others replicated the ornate details of 18th-century chinoiserie or the embellishments of Queen Anne furniture. Always ready to adapt to new customer demands, during World War II, Drexel built a sturdy desk designed especially for General Douglas MacArthur.
In the postwar era, Drexel embraced the clean lines of mid-century modernism with the Declaration collection designed by Stewart MacDougall and Kipp Stewart that featured elegant credenzas and more made in walnut, and the Profile and Projection collections designed with sculptural shapes by John Van Koert. In the 1970s, Drexel introduced high-end furniture in a Mediterranean style.
Drexel changed hands and visions throughout the years. It was managed by one of the original partners — Samuel Huffman — until 1935, at which time his son Robert O. Huffman took over as president. It was then that the company began to expand, with several acquisitions of competitors in the 1950s, including Table Rock Furniture, the Heritage Furniture Co. and more. With the manufacturer’s success — spurred by its embrace of advertising in home and garden magazines — it opened more factories in both North and South Carolina. By 1957, the company that had started with a factory of 50 workers had 2,300 employees and was selling its furniture nationwide.
Drexel underwent a series of name changes in its long history. Its acquisition of Southern Desk Company in 1960 bolstered its production of institutional furniture for dormitories, classrooms, churches and laboratories. In the following decades, contracts with government agencies, hotels, schools and hospitals brought its high-quality furniture to a global audience. U.S. Plywood-Champion Papers bought Drexel Enterprises in 1968, and it became Drexel Heritage Furnishings.
In 2014, the last Drexel Heritage plant, in Morganton, North Carolina, reportedly closed its doors. The company rebranded as Drexel in 2017.
The range of vintage Drexel furniture for sale on 1stDibs includes end tables designed by Edward Wormley, walnut side tables designed by Kipp Stewart and lots more.
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Ships From: Brooklyn, NY
- Return PolicyA return for this item may be initiated within 2 days of delivery.
- Mid-Century Modern Walnut Drexel DeskBy DrexelLocated in Brooklyn, NYBeautiful walnut Drexel desk with matte black metal handles. Great piece for any office or bedroom. (Please confirm item location - NY or NJ - wit...Category
Mid-20th Century North American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Vintage '80s Maple Writing Desk by ThomasvilleBy ThomasvilleLocated in Brooklyn, NYFantastic blonde writing desk from the master craftsmen of North Carolina's Thomasville Furniture Company. Beautiful light wood grain along with chrome legs and accents allow this de...Category
Vintage 1980s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsMetal, Chrome
- Vintage Danish Modern Writing Desk by Domino MøblerLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern office desk with two banks of drawers. Danish made teak wood desk for home or office use. Please confirm location NY or NJCategory
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsTeak
- Vintage Modern Walnut Writing Desk by Harvey ProbberBy Harvey ProbberLocated in Brooklyn, NYMid-century modern writing desk by Harvey Probber. This desk features walnut construction, ample leg room, and three drawers for storage of files and odds and ends. A beautiful vinta...Category
Vintage 1960s Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWalnut
- Child Rosewood Writing DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYVintage writing desk on rolling wheels, in an incredible rich rosewood color. This compact desk is functional and stylish, with a minimal design and three drawers for organization. P...Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsRosewood
- Leather Top Writing DeskLocated in Brooklyn, NYThis vintage writing desk includes a protective cover for part of the top surface, multiple drawers for storage, and brass accents. Please confirm item location with seller (NY/NJ).Category
Mid-20th Century Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Rosewood and Chrome Drexel Index Writing Desk Library Table, circa 1970sBy Drexel, Milo BaughmanLocated in New York, NYStunning midcentury, Hollywood Regency, Post Modern design writing table, desk, made by Drexel as part of their Index series, possibly designed by Milo Baughman, circa 1960/1970s. T...Category
Mid-20th Century American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsChrome
- Vintage Campaign Style Desk by DrexelBy DrexelLocated in W Allenhurst, NJCampaign style desk designed by John Van Koert for Drexel. The desk is supported by gold crossed wood supports with a gilt finish. The top portion offers cubby-hole storage on either...Category
Vintage 1970s American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage "Biscayne" Floating Top Walnut Desk by DrexelBy Drexel, Milo BaughmanLocated in North Hollywood, CAWonderful vintage “Biscayne” floating top walnut desk by Drexel and manufactured in the United States, circa 1960s. This desk has been built from the highest quality walnut wood and ...Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks
MaterialsBrass
- Modernist Desk by John Van Koert for DrexelBy John Van Koert, DrexelLocated in Sagaponack, NYA boldly angled modernist single pedestal desk having a distinctive raised gallery with sliding doors and a warm dark grey leather surface.Category
Vintage 1960s American Mid-Century Modern Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Drexel Sandia Collection Jacobean Drop-Front DeskBy DrexelLocated in Chicago, ILDrexel drop front desk from the Sandia Collection, circa 1960s. Interesting writing desk marrying the form of a Govenor Winthrop drop front desk with early English Jacobean...Category
Vintage 1970s American Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsBrass
- Vintage Drexel Campaign Desk with Gilt X-Base Legs and Low Roll TopBy DrexelLocated in Stamford, CTFabulous vintage Campaign style low roll top desk with gilt X-leg base by Drexel. This is such a handsome desk by Drexel, done in Campaign style with low roll tops or tambour doors ...Category
Mid-20th Century American Campaign Desks and Writing Tables
MaterialsWood