Hi, would know the approx. value and age of this Imperial Desk? I acquired this desk about 15 years ago. It was being used in an Attorney's office. It is very large and heavy. The lower drawers offer built in storage for hanging file folders. The drawers are very deep (the length of the desk) and each have built in dividers etc. It has not been refinished and is in its original state. Thank you!
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I think your desk is made of oak. It looks like oak and I found this brochure from the company in Indiana. The logo is from a different year but I see a couple of desks that looks similar and it states that they use oak. I think yours is older than the ones in the catalog, it's at the bottom of the page, after the price lists.
www.grpmcollections.org/
The biggest desk design looks a lot like yours but they probably made these basic desks for years. The company was founded in 1910 and was purchased by another company in 1966, so the desk is certainly between those years. The logo is older than the one in the catalog, which looks like the late 40s or early 50s to me.
www.harpgallery.com/
I found this other link that has a beautiful desk with similarities to you, with the same logo. The desk is nicely stained, has different handles and has tongue and groove drawer construction for the drawers. It was sold for $1575 and dates from 1910. It's made out of oak. It's probably the original desk that they made for years before branching out. I think it was their original logo and they changed it to the one with the crown in the brochure. I don't think they had any connection with Imperial Furniture in Michigan, but I'm not sure.
You will have to talk to an appraiser in order to get a better idea of the value and pinpoint the age. I'm guessing the 30s or 40s. It would have to be sold locally because I'm sure it is very heavy. I would probably see if you can find a consignment antique store to show it for you or maybe even buy it outright.
If it were mine, I'd probably keep it and use it. Those pull out shelves seem very useful for all sorts of projects. It would be beautiful if stained but that would ruin any possible value.
Thank you so much! I really appreciate all of your help! I was also thinking it was Oak. And you are correct, it is very heavy so I think it will need to be a local sale.
The company was in business from 1903-1954.
This desk, which is not as nice as yours, sold for $3900. www.1stdibs.com/
Thank you so much Judy! Do you happen to know what type of wood this is? I'm not sure if the photos will be enough for you to tell.
This knee hole Imperial Furniture Company desk sold for $1707.
www.companiesestatesales.com/
This gives a little bit of history for the Imperial Furniture Co:
www.furniturecityhistory.org/
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