Help appraising antique desk?

Question

I'm thinking of selling my desk and need help coming up with an asking price. I've attached some photos of it (sorry for the poor quality, it's cramped in storage). I don't know anything about the history of the desk, but it was a gift from a very well-off individual, so I have reason to believe it's valuable.

Also, if you can't tell from the pics, is there a type of shop that could help with appraising?

Thanks in advance.

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o349/nitram00/DSCN0498.jpg

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o349/nitram00/DSCN0495.jpg

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o349/nitram00/DSCN0493.jpg

http://i340.photobucket.com/albums/o349/nitram00/DSCN0496.jpg

Answer 1

It looks like one of the "Mediterranean" style pieces that were popular in the 1960s and 70s. They featured heavy moldings, stretchers across the legs.  This one escapes the incredibly tacky wrought iron and fake Spanish detailing that afflicted most of them.

It looks like a nice solid desk, but it's unlikely to bring more than a hundred dollars or so. It's "used furniture", not antique yet.

Check the drawers, inside and out for labels and "brands" by the manufacturer ... then look them up. A label doesn't make it a better desk,but it can increase the sale price.

Answer 2

I recommend you search the drawers or the back of the desk for a stamp or trademark. Usually that will give you a company name and sometimes even a year. Even if the year isn't on there you or the appraiser can track down the company and pin-point the date or period it was made. Here is a site that might help you out:

http://www.wiw2u.com/

Hope I helped you out!

Answer 3

It's not worth much more than a few hundred dollars.  Antiques are all about style! If you are looking to make money on antiques, you need to find a popular style of desk like William Wooton, American Victorian, Rolltops, an Art Deco Desk like Paul Evans, Art Nouveau Desks from Louis Majorelle, French Empire Desks, Mission Style Desks, English Partners, and Bureau Plat Desks.  Antiquarian Traders has been dealing in antique desks for over 35 years.  All of these beautiful antique desks are available on our website: http://www.antiquariantraders.com

You will want to look for desks of age around the late 1880's to the mid 20's, and even the machine age 1950's style desks are cool.

Quality Antique Desks are far superior to anything you can get today, and the maintain their value, as they are only becoming more rare.  The quality these antique executive desks are unparalleled!!!  

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