PAIR OF ANTIQUE ARTS & CRAFTS MISSION OAK SIX SECTION BARRISTER BOOKCASES WITH DRAWERS
With our absolute highest compliments Bay Colony Antiques takes the utmost pleasure in offering this wonderful pair of antique bookcases. Commonly referred to as barrister bookcases, these stackable and interchangeable sectional bookcases have become the most popular and sought after antiques of nearly any variety. Originally these bookcases were ordered from catalogues and distributed all throughout the country with the leading manufacturers being Macey, Globe Wernicke, Hale, Viking, and Lundstrom. The design brilliance these bookcases offer is the ability to be expanded with additional sections or custom features at a later time. No other bookcase system allows for such versatility or ease of use and transport should the bookcases need to be moved at any point in the future. Pairs of barrister bookcases are incredibly rare as are individual six section bookcases. To find a true pair of six section barristers, not assembled from later components, and in the Arts & Crafts design almost never happens. We consider ourselves to be quite fortunate to even find these bookcases let alone represent them for the consideration of collectors nationwide.
Complete with six individual bookcase units, a removeable top, and independent base section featuring a single drawer, these bookcases stand with a commanding presence. The bookcases are true examples of the Arts & Crafts mission oak design unlike the majority of standard sectional barristers that are of the same generic pattern proliferated by the leading makers a century ago. Each of the bookcase units have glass doors that swing upward and retract back into the housing properly. A bold selection of tiger oak grain was used for each of the case exterior sides and the sectional base units. The bookcases still retain the original labels from Viking along with the brass hardware, drawer locks, and mission brown finish. We note several old repairs that are easily overlooked and a few replaced brass knobs. Overall these bookcases are sturdy and in wonderful condition only needing a deserving home to preserve them for future generations.
These bookcases measure 34 1/2” wide x 11 1/4 “ deep x 86 1/2” tall. At the base drawer units they measure 13 3/4” deep. The drawers allow for storage space measuring 31” wide x 11 1/4” deep x 3 3/4” tall. The bookcase units have usable interior dimensions that measure 32” wide x 9 3/4” deep x 10” tall.
