With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques has the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful antique dictionary stand. Towards the end of the 19th century at the height of the Victorian era these reading stands were commonplace in most homes and places of education. A number of high-end furniture manufacturers produced these stands in cast iron and oak as they were in high demand including Josiah Anstice & Co of New York who made the signature "Columbia" dictionary stand which were quite popular in the 1890's. While these pieces are often designated as dictionary stands, for their ability to display heavier dictionaries based upon the design of the cast iron mechanism with folding spring mechanisms which the books rest on, quite often these examples are used for sheet music or in libraries to display ordinary books. Regardless of whatever is displayed using this stand the timeless design ensures the absolute finest in practical use with several adjusting features and caster wheels to move the stand around. These reading stands are designed to be taken apart and reassembled should they need to be transported any given distance. The center shaft has several knobs which can tighten or loosen should it be required to take the stand apart. This stand is in exceptional condition and remains one of the finest options anywhere for display of any reading material especially in a home with Victorian design influence.
