Shopsmith Forums

Here is a little table that is not what it first appears. It is not something I've seen before and I promised my brother I'd see if I could get some information on it, that is where I hope YOU can come in.

If you don't know don't feel the need to search the web as I will be doing that tonight, but if you do know then please post that information.

So here are the pictures:
Ed

Not sure what it is but the drawer reminds me of an antique writing table. The hole would hold an ink pot with the pen in the depression area next to it and the drawer would hold the paper.

This is a wild guess, but it looks very much like a job site paymaster desk. Those would typically have had foldable legs as well so the bookkeeper could cary the desk and a chair to a job site and wirte checks to workers on the spot.

Reminds me of a school desk but much fancier and stand alone(not part of 'a row').

My first thought at the first picture was "1950's TV table". I have a couple in the attic that are a little similar. Then as I looked at other pictures I thought OK writing desk that could be used as a removable lap desk. I have a couple of lap desk but they are too recent to have ink-wells.
Then I saw that 1906 date and thought "OK, probably not a TV table".
Does the drawer/desk part pull completely free of the table? Is there an accessible/usable compartment across the back where the well hole is? Is the pencil groove deep enough to hold a pencil and clear the table rail while sliding the desk part in and out?
(shrug)

OK, I couldn't help myself. I had to do a quick hit on Google.

https://www.ebth.com/items/5825790-anti ... of-detroit


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Yep an interesting item that was marketed to the ladies of the day as a desk-table. There were a lot of different models, this looks like the model 268. Depending on condition and model these things can be worth up to about $500 but if they have condition issues like this one then no where near that amount.

I like the idea and will keep it in mind in case I ever get the notion that I need something like that, not likely but who knows.

Ed