Expert: Eileen Cronk - 7/30/2007

Question
I'm a painting contractor of 20 years. I recently started restoring and refinishing quality used furniture.

I'm looking at a Maddux colonial reproduction. The pattern number is 1040a.I would describe it as a secretarial desk that has a flip down working area in which  has 12 internal drawers and 6 external drawers, but has no cubbied leg room. As I'm sure u know, this company was founded in 1898 and closed its doors in 1985.

these clients inherited this item, so I don't want a value quote. What I need i whether this is worth the time to sand  down and restore. Also though, I'd like to maybe get a production year and title

The condition is great in some spots and severe in others. I've heard that some battle and age scars are desired to keep the antiquated price optimal. I fear that it is past this point.

Can you help me !?

thanks for your time

Martin the painter

Answer
Hello
Martin
Nice to hear from you.
Without seeing this desk Martin, I cannot comment on its age, and the pattern # does not indicate much.
It sounds to me like this piece needs a lot of restoration work. I call pieces like this a challenge.
I often keep such pieces for slack times and work on them then.
Probably if you plan on reselling this piece, the time spent would not be worth it.
Normal wear and signs of many years of use we certainly want to retain, but signs of misuse and damage are not good.
And a piece like this should not show misuse or damage.
Wish you had of told me what kind of wood this is and if its veneer thats damaged badly.
Let me know
Regards
Eileen