We have a Globe Wernicke desk that has been in my husband's family for many years. We recently moved and the movers lost the top section (which,I believe, was one section from a bookcase) and the legs. We live in the middle of nowhere and are having a very difficult time getting it appraised.

Question 1: I have found a desk similar to ours selling online for $995. The differences, that I can detect with my limited knowledge of furniture, are that ours had the glass case on top and ours had cabinets on the bottom - the one online was just the desk and the bottom section was a glass front. I believe ours is made from Tiger Oak, but again I have very limited knowledge. The moving company may be willing to use the $995 printout for value. We do have the option to drive VERY far and pay for an appraisal (which will not be reimbursed by the moving company and which we may not be able to get in time for the claim filing). We are trying to figure out if it is worth it to get the appraisal. We are not sure how much more our desk it worth than the one online since it had extra pieces (the cabinets and glass top). Is it likely that our piece is over the $995, making it worth the appraisal?

Question 2-I am also not sure if we should claim the desk and bookcase separately or if was one piece originally.

Question 3 - Finally can anyone tell me how much a value is decreased if we replaced the lost legs with reproductions, as we may choose to claim the piece as a devalued piece so we can keep as much of the original family piece (if we claim full replacement value, the moving company will likely come take the remainder of the desk).

I am including pictures of the desk in our old house before parts were lost, pictures of the label on the bottom section, and a closer picture of the desk as it sits in the garage now.

Thank you so much for any feedback.

I am trying to get these pictures to work - be patient with me :-)

Close up of desk as it stands now

close up of cabinets

If you haven't already done so, read the fine print on the contract that you signed. In it you will probably find the company's policy on lost/damaged merchandise. They will follow that policy to the letter.

As for obtaining the replacement parts, you can find original glass door sections and lids on an internet auction site, on a daily basis. This would be the most economical way to obtain them.

As for the replacement legs, check to see if you still have the metal clips that attached them to the desk. If those are lost, those will have to be purchased. They can be bought from the same company that sells replacement legs. The legs run about $250 per set, and the replacement clips are about $50. Both of these items can also be found on a popular internet auction site.

One important thing you need to remember is that when you do purchase all of the missing parts, they will not match the existing sections that you have. Therefore, you will have to refinish the whole thing, in order to achieve a consistent look. This will be another added expense that you will incur.

I would factor in all of the replacement costs, and contact the shipping company. Good luck. Tim

Hello Mel,
First off Welcome to the wonderful world of the Arts and Crafts Society and we hope you will continue coming back.
Now about your problem, the trucking firm should have insurance that will cover your expenses of having the pieces appraised as Tim stated and I concur.
To have someone such as myself or any other crafter to make new ones would in no way match the original piece and finding the needed parts that may come closer to matching is the best way to go. By all means have it appraised.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

Thank you so much for responding so quickly. Is there a general rule as to how much a piece is devalued if it has replacement parts and finish? I would like to factor in that as well when I make the claim.

Also, can any of you tell from the pictures if this is, in fact, Tiger Oak? I would like to buy the same wood when looking for replacements.

Again, thank you so much.

Hi Mel,
Don't know about insurance, but it is tiger oak.

I have been searching for single Tiger Oak bookcase sections in good condition like the one originally on my desk. I can't find any singles. If you have any idea where I can locate them, please let me know.

Mel,
That single bookcase section is out there, somewhere. Check Ebay, and keep checking back, ask local antique dealers, etc. You will find one eventually.
Good luck

Thanks so much for your feedback. I found a great guy on ebay who will help me get this desk as close to its original state as possible.