SIGNED Antique Secretaire Desk with Tiger Maple Drawers and Small Locking Door made from "Crotch" Mahogany
I've had many antique dealers tell me this piece was probably built between 1800-1830. It has been passed down from generation to generation in the same family until I purchased it. It's so old no records or memories seem to exist anymore. As far as I know each generation of the family was always located on the east coast (Ranging from Up-State NY to Philadelphia).Â
The piece is signed on the bottom of the one drawer in pencil, but most of the writing has worn off over the years. Under the right lighting, I was able to make out the words "Made By:" followed by lots of very fancy looking script. The signature might be illegible, but many of the other pencil marks used by the builder are very easy to read. Pencil marks for cuts, numbers for matching up pieces, simple math equations, and a random 6 digit number starting with a backwards 4(or the letter P) followed by 56789 apprears to be hidden inside the space one of the drawers slide into. That 6 digit hidden number appears above a number 4 which appears above an unknown symbol (which could be an S, an 8, or the & symbol).
I've spent more hours then I care to admit trying to discover the history of this desk. Any help would be greatly appreciated!!!!
Thanks.