We bought furniture for the house in MD, but couldn't find a desk that we liked at the right price at furniture stores. We looked around at antique stores and yard sales before we found something we thought would work on Craigslist. It was miles away in Baltimore and we weren't sure that it would fit in my Subaru, but then the universe presented us with another option.
We were home in NJ for the weekend and headed to Goodwill to donate some of the stuff I've cleared out of this house. We decided to take a look through the store, just in case, and came upon this desk. I was skeptical because the top looked pretty beat up, it wasn't even attached, and some of the drawers were in bad shape. But when I looked at the price tag, we decided we could afford $24.00 to see if it would work.
We loaded it into my car in the pouring rain, and it fit perfectly with just a couple inches to spare. I drove it to MD last week, where we unloaded it into the garage and started taking it apart for refinishing. Things had gone well to that point (a really good price, it fit in my car), but it got even better.
When we took the drawers out, we found this penciled note on the bottom of one of them. "Burglars entered store Sun. nite July 19, 1936 and ransacked the office - opening the drawers that were locked in my desk but apparently nothing was taken - the same nite they broke into the Kauffman store Hatfield and took cash in register and the marks of tool used in prying open is identical in both places."
I am a sucker for stories, so this made the desk darn near perfect for me. I haven't been able to find out anything about where this desk was located or the Kauffman store, but when we're done sanding, fixing, and finishing the desk, I'm going to pencil another note about how the desk ended up in MD to continue the story. I love it, pry marks and all!
Oh, a mystery in the shape of a (slightly) hidden message - how neat, what fun.
ReplyDeleteMy husband also puts “notes” on the wooden items he makes, though the spot is often more hidden than yours shows. The note might be the history of the wood, or the ownership, or his meaning for the note - it varies every time. Sometimes he puts it where the owner has to take it apart, possibly to fix a broken or weak area, and then come upon the note/message in a serendipitous manner. (Sort of like the game of Clue!)
I wonder how many notes out there are in any rummage/goodwill/estate sale/carpenter’s items?
Your husband's notes are the best! Handmade furniture and wooden items are very special, and for him to add notes personalizes them even more. I'm not much of a woodworker (I wish I was), but hearing about your husband's wonderful practice of adding his notes makes me want to write things on some of my own furniture, and maybe the kitchen cupboards or closets in the house. Thanks for sharing!
DeleteWhat a find! I love furniture with character.
ReplyDeleteThat's so interesting! I found a note in a loft apartment on a top floor that I moved into once. It said "we have been broken into three times and the management company won't do anything about it." I moved immediately into a non-loft apartment on a lower floor that made me feel much safer, even if the apartment wasn't as special.
ReplyDeleteThank goodness the previous tenants left their warning note! I've never thought about leaving notes for others, but these great stories about found notes make me want to write something on my own drawers and maybe closet walls. I'm glad you moved and were safe in the lower floor apartment.
DeleteThat's very cool! I think you should write a short story expanding on the note on the desk!
ReplyDeleteHatfield PA? That is really fascinating, Bonny! And, a great find!
ReplyDeleteI love this! I hope you can eventually find out a bit more about it.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting thing to find. Gets the imagination going.
ReplyDeleteOh yes. I love that kind of thing, too!! It's mysterious and fascinating, and fun to sleuth a little bit. Plus, that's a pretty great looking desk for $24 and some elbow grease!!
ReplyDeleteOh, YES! Those pry marks make it all the more charming. I'm so glad you found this wonderful piece of furniture with such an interesting history. It looks perfect. XO
ReplyDeleteYou've had a few things that were THE BEST but I think this is THE BEST! And yes to the pry marks!!! There is some good desk juju there. :-)
ReplyDeleteWhat a FABULOUS find. I love how YOU are going to add to the story.
ReplyDeleteWho knew for $24 you would get a good desk (even if it required a bit of elbow grease), and a narrative of its history! What a great story. It's delightful to get a message from the past, isn't it? It feels so personal, even if it isn't. Have a great weekend, Bonny.
ReplyDeleteThat is a great find! It's a very nice desk and the story and pry marks make it even more special!
ReplyDeleteI love that the desk has a story and that you have given it new life. I bet the wood underneath was quite beautiful.
ReplyDeleteInteresting story. Im glad you were not a victim!
ReplyDeleteoh my goodness - how wonderful! ...and bonus - the piece is beautiful!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great story! Meant to be. And I agree, the piece is beautiful and full of character. Every time you sit down at that desk you will probably think of the many who have sat there before. Enjoy!
ReplyDeleteThat desk made its way to the right person! It's a beauty, made all the better buy the continuing story!
ReplyDeletethat is a super cool message on the bottom of a desk drawer!! how lucky!
ReplyDelete