mahogany, the prettiest wood

[TC Chris]

I'm a big mahogany fan. I've got a pretty V-M 566 console in nice red mahogany. I'm typing this on a mahogany desk from my grandparents' house (made by Imperial Furniture of Grand Rapids). Today I drove 60 mi. south of here to Manistee and drove back with a big mahogany desk that had been my Great-Uncle's. The daughter of his law partner inherited the office building and married a Manistee lawyer and he's taken another job so they were selling the building now. Word got back to me that Uncle John's desk was still there 30 years after he died and I could have it if I got there before Thursday. How about today? So I shoveled snow out of the back of the truck and loaded it up with a bunch of tarps and rugs and some tools including a hack saw in case I needed to modify the kayak and iceboat rack to fit the desk in. It was a heavy sucker and awkward to carry, as big things can be, but we got it down the stairs and out the door and slid it into the truck upside-down on a tarp and a rug so it would fit over my winter sandbags. Then I drove home and a friend helped me wrangle it into my office. It will need some washing, some staining of wear areas on the legs and edges, and maybe the turpentine-and-linseed oil treatment. Maybe some Howard's, later, because my mahogany can is down where the Chevy lives. But under the grime is glowing red mahogany.

The donor lady was crying--not just sniffling, but real tears---because she was so happy that one of Uncle John's relatives was getting the desk. Kinda made my day too.

Chris Campbell

[William]

Chris, it is always good to get something that belonged to family members. I got my Grandparents RCA stereo theater, mostly because no one else wanted it, which I am ever so grateful no one did.

Bill

[Firedome]

That's pretty special, please post some pics when you can!
I've always wanted one of those turn-of-the-(last)-century roll-top desks, but no-one in the family had one.

[electra225]

I've always been partial to red wood. Mahogany, cherry, red oak. Uncle Fort specialized in red wood, quarter-sawn. You don't see quarter-sawn wood anymore outside the Amish. I have two small tables made of quarter-sawn black cherry. I have admired Maganvox mahogany finishes. Preserving family heirlooms is an especially gratifying activity in most cases.

[19&41]

As pricy as good furniture is these days, that was a stroke of good fortune.

[TC Chris]

That's pretty special, please post some pics when you can!
I've always wanted one of those turn-of-the-(last)-century roll-top desks, but no-one in the family had one.

How about this one? That's my grandfather, 1912. Note the speaking tube to the right of the desk and the electric light over it.

Chris Campbell

[TC Chris]

That's pretty special, please post some pics when you can!
I've always wanted one of those turn-of-the-(last)-century roll-top desks, but no-one in the family had one.

Here's a view of the desk in its new home. Lighting isn't great and besides, the good red color is partially obscured by old finish, but the thing is almost the size of an aircraft carrier and weighs about as much.

Last night I went in after hours and washed it with Murphy's Oil Soap and then used washing soda and water to try to darken areas on the legs where the finish was worn off. Some darkened better than others. After the washing the finish looked much worse but tonight before I left, and after everybody else was gone, I applied linseed oil/turps/vinegar to brighten it up. Much improved but it may need a second coat. Problem is, it's not clear how fast the building's HVAC system turns air over. I may catch "deleted" tomorrow from the smell-sensitive colleagues if the turpentine odor lingers. Me, I love the smell, but some of the others are touchy. Remember the old theory about how it's easier to ask for forgiveness than for permission....

Chris Campbell

[William]

That's a cool looking desk, Chris. And, the photo of your Grandfather sitting at his desk has to be a treasured item for you?

Bill

[walyfd]

Mahogany is my favorite as well. When Marsellus Casket was still in Syracuse, I toured the plant and saw how these artists hand-crafted wood. We had the same model 710 in our showroom that JFK was interred in.

The finishing process was amazing. It took over a week to properly seal, lacquer, wet sand, recoat, dry, polish and wax to attain a piano grade finish. I learned a lot of woodworking skills that day.

[TC Chris]

All that work for a brief period of time on display!

Chris Campbell

[19&41]

It makes you wonder how much it would cost to make one like it now? Looks good.

[Firedome]

Thanks for the pics. A prosperous looking gentleman in his 1912 office! It's nice you can use your family heirloom every day and appreciate it's history.