Interesting! My grandparents lived in Iowa but my grandfather had a ton of nice furniture. I wonder if it was simply the same style or the same manufacturer.
Seems like there are a few similar variations with different trim design, finial, hitch etc. Mine looks exactly like this one. The funny thing is none of the pictures I’ve seen show the little hidden pillar drawers!
ETA wiki info: In the United States, the slant-top desk is sometimes called a Governor Winthrop desk, in memory of John Winthrop, a 17th century governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As Winthrop died in 1647, he had no actual connection to this style of desk, which originated in the 18th century and is especially associated with Chippendale. The name "Winthrop" was attached to this kind of desk by the Winthrop Furniture Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, who offered their "Gov. Winthrop" desk in 1924, during the colonial revival period.
Almost always empty…rats! However, I recommend 3 more places to look.
1) that slot under the small drawers. Also the gaps on the left and right (the hinge acts as a grabber compressor
2) the slit above the “bill payer” it can hide something the thickness of an envelope or photo.
3) pull all the drawers (small and large) papers etc., get shoved and stuck behind each as well as the “dust cover” between each large drawer.
Absolutely #3. I inherited the exact same secretary and, after pulling out the drawers I found pictures of my mother on Christmas from the late fifties. Also, an Aunt’s dentist appointment reminder from September, 1963.
I would almost suspect my grandpa carved the design himself because he did that with other furniture he built/restored, but the finish etc. here looks quite matched with the rest of the desk. As I mentioned above, the tag on the back of this one says "Monitor Furniture Co., Jamestown, NY" with ship-to of Bowsers in Hummelstown PA if that rings any bells.
Nice! Pretty well hidden, right? I’ve looked at images of the same desk for sale online and haven’t seen any where those drawers are open, so we’re not the only ones who missed them!
Yes, pretty similar, but mine also has a glass front hutch component on top. Didn’t realize they were so popular! I’ve seen a bunch of them online after some googling
Inlaws had the same type of secretary they found ration stamps from WW2 hidden in those compartments lol pull them all the way out and look inside never know.
Typically for important papers such as deeds or the like. It's not as good as a fire rated safe, of course, but not everyone could afford one or felt they needed one.
Depends how good a desk it is. If it's a factory production this is the only disguised drawers you got. But some of them can be much more involved sometimes a drawer behind a drawer as well
That’s awesome! Find any other compartments?
After finding these I looked pretty carefully, but alas, no more were found.
..yet!
Holy shit my grandparents had the same desk! Nice
Wow, interesting. The tag on the back of this one says "Monitor Furniture Co., Jamestown, NY" with ship-to of Bowsers in Hummelstown PA.
Interesting! My grandparents lived in Iowa but my grandfather had a ton of nice furniture. I wonder if it was simply the same style or the same manufacturer.
Seems like there are a few similar variations with different trim design, finial, hitch etc. Mine looks exactly like this one. The funny thing is none of the pictures I’ve seen show the little hidden pillar drawers!
That’s the one we had!
Oh wow I’m like 2 miles from hummelstown right now
We did too! We called it “The Governor Winthrop.”
ETA wiki info: In the United States, the slant-top desk is sometimes called a Governor Winthrop desk, in memory of John Winthrop, a 17th century governor of the Massachusetts Bay Colony. As Winthrop died in 1647, he had no actual connection to this style of desk, which originated in the 18th century and is especially associated with Chippendale. The name "Winthrop" was attached to this kind of desk by the Winthrop Furniture Co. of Boston, Massachusetts, who offered their "Gov. Winthrop" desk in 1924, during the colonial revival period.
Mine too!
So did mine!
Almost always empty…rats! However, I recommend 3 more places to look. 1) that slot under the small drawers. Also the gaps on the left and right (the hinge acts as a grabber compressor
2) the slit above the “bill payer” it can hide something the thickness of an envelope or photo.
3) pull all the drawers (small and large) papers etc., get shoved and stuck behind each as well as the “dust cover” between each large drawer.
Good luck! History is hiding everywhere!
Great suggestions. I did actually unscrew the entire bill payer and pulled it out to check thoroughly, but nothing there except some errant sequins :(
Looked for an example for a second.
Here is an ebay listing of one with 7. Two of them match yours.
https://www.ebay.com/itm/236451049232
Absolutely #3. I inherited the exact same secretary and, after pulling out the drawers I found pictures of my mother on Christmas from the late fifties. Also, an Aunt’s dentist appointment reminder from September, 1963.
Ha! Awesome. I refer to these desks (actually all old desks) as unintentional time capsules.
Also short drawers sometimes have a 2nd behind. The last one of these I looked at in person had 7 hidden drawers.
Also: any dividers that aren’t affixed and can be pulled out might have a false back behind them.
Also also: Pull out every drawer and see if there are compartments behind or beneath their trays.
Also also also: In general, compare internal and external dimensions of each segment.
My father had that desk and passed it down to me. Same caches behind the pillars. Different design on the door
I would almost suspect my grandpa carved the design himself because he did that with other furniture he built/restored, but the finish etc. here looks quite matched with the rest of the desk. As I mentioned above, the tag on the back of this one says "Monitor Furniture Co., Jamestown, NY" with ship-to of Bowsers in Hummelstown PA if that rings any bells.
Holy shit ! I have that same secretary and I never knew it had those drawers ! Just checked and they’re there !!!
Nice! Pretty well hidden, right? I’ve looked at images of the same desk for sale online and haven’t seen any where those drawers are open, so we’re not the only ones who missed them!
Was there anything in them?
Continuing a long Reddit tradition, I didn't find anything
Oooh! Is that a Governor Winthrop Desk‽ An affordable one is my white whale.
Yes, pretty similar, but mine also has a glass front hutch component on top. Didn’t realize they were so popular! I’ve seen a bunch of them online after some googling
that, dear sir, is where thou keepest thy stash
Inlaws had the same type of secretary they found ration stamps from WW2 hidden in those compartments lol pull them all the way out and look inside never know.
I have that exact same desk!
Nice. I lost one to a sister in sad estate stuff.
What were those used for, I wonder?
Typically for important papers such as deeds or the like. It's not as good as a fire rated safe, of course, but not everyone could afford one or felt they needed one.
Business cards
It’s like a file folder
I purchased the top of this desk for $20 at a yard sale in Philly!
I have the exact same desk, glass hutch top and all! Though it has some puppy teething damage on the legs.
my mom had an identical looking desk! now i know what im doing next time im at their house
Depends how good a desk it is. If it's a factory production this is the only disguised drawers you got. But some of them can be much more involved sometimes a drawer behind a drawer as well
I have the same desk from my mom. I love those little secret drawers!
My grandmother had a desk very similar. If i remember correctly it had a few other compartments that were hard to find.
do secretaries just really like hiding drugs? why always this
You could store your weed in there…
Had the same desk as a kid.