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Description:
Pine Secretary Desk, made by Moses B. Walker, Westbrook, Maine, c. 1840, the upper section with cornice above two six-light cupboard doors opening to shelves, above two short drawers, set into the lower section with canted hinged writing surface on a straight frame joining turned legs, (minor imperfections),ht. 74 3/4, wd. 45, dp. 27 in.
Note: Attached to the underside of the writing surface are an old handwritten note dated 1898, and a newspaper clipping from 1947 which illustrates this desk. Both relate that it was made in 1840 by Westbrook, Maine, cabinetmaker Moses B. Walker for Leander Valentine, and descended to Leander's niece Flora Eva Mason, of Mechanic Falls, Maine, in 1895. Leander Valentine and Moses Walker both joined the Westbrook Light Infantry in 1835, a company which was familiarly referred to as the "White Birch Company." Another note, also affixed to the underside of the writing surface, charmingly details the desk's history from the late 1940s, when it was purchased by Delmer Martin Jewett, the president of a family pickle company in Deerfield, Massachusetts. It descended in his family until 1989, when it was sold to the current owner.
Estimate $600-800
Items may have wear and tear, imperfections, or the effects of aging. Any condition statement given, as a courtesy to a client, is only an opinion and should not be treated as a statement of fact. Skinner shall have no responsibility for any error or omission.
Keywords
Flora Eva Mason, Moses B. Walker, Leander Valentine, DeerfieldStephen L. Fletcher
Partner/Executive Vice President and Chief Auctioneer
Director of American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3000
Christopher D. Fox
Vice President
Director, Historic Arms & Militaria
Associate Deputy Director, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3200
Paul O’Hara
Business Administrator, American Furniture & Decorative Arts
508-970-3224
American Furniture & Decorative Arts
From the heart of New England, the American Furniture & Decorative Arts department regularly uncovers treasures with rich and enduring history and hosts auctions to world-wide renown.