I was in a local town yesterday, and was shopping a local thrift store, after dropping my wife off at the cell phone store. After walking through most of the thrift store, I sort of chided myself for searching through items discarded by others(had I actually sunk so low?). About two minutes after having these thoughts, I discovered a new room, where the furniture was kept. I was about 3/4 the way through, walking past aisles of painted dressers, and nightstands, etc, when I found a Victorian looking, double pedestal flat-top,raised panel desk, sitting in a corner.
After a quick glance at one of its corners, I immediately recognized it as a rotary desk(the pedestal swings out to expose a fitted interior,or pigeon holes). The desk was painted green, and had about 5 stickers on it that said 29.99. I asked the clerk if that was the best price(I had to ask), I paid the amount, plus tax.
Having my wife's car, I had to make arrangements to pick it up either later in the day, or the next day. I took my wife Pam home, and went back to pick the desk up. On the way home, I had to stop and show it off to a friend of mine, who co-owns a local appliance business. I demonstrated to her how the rotary part works. It was then that I found out that the desk was made of walnut.
I spent the rest of the day removing some of the paint from it. It wasn't until I worked on it this afternoon, that I found the tag that was attached to the top of the rotary. The tag says WOOTON'S ROTARY DESK, PATENTED. I was so excited. I had missed it the first day, because I had looked inside the desk, and inside the middle drawer(where I assumed the tag, if any, may be) William S. Wooton had always been one of my favorite furniture makers (along with Charles Limbert). Up until this point, I had described this piece as a Wooton style rotary desk, to the few people I had talked to. I can't express how elated I was to see the big letters WOOTON'S as soon as I started rubbing some of the paint off of it!!
This just goes to show that the days of finding bargains at the thrift stores aren't over yet. I will add photos in a day, or so. Thanks, and keep hunting! Tim

quote:

WOOTON'S ROTARY DESK

Wow , Tim...SCORE!

I found an article with an image of one of the desks here. Can't wait to see yours.

Lauren

Oh wow, that is a "score".

I go to thrift stores too, I have a great vase collection and my yard came with beds of old established flowering shrubs and perinneals (sp?).

I feel like I'm stealing when I find something way under priced (in my opinion) and sort of hum and hold my breath at the counter when paying.

Hello Tim,
Thank you for your phone call today, I was in the lumber yard when you called and you really sounded excited and after seeing the desk that was posted I can see why.

Good hunting my friend.

Hey, if you get a chance starting Sunday the Madison County Fair will be going and I will be set up in the commercial building with many of my different items including a Figured Cherry head board for a queen size bed that I made and carved in the middle is a Fleur De Lys and I am only asking $250.00 for it.

I also will be demonstrating hand cut dovetails as well as hand cut mortises and tenons to show folks how they were made years ago. I hope you can break away and come down.

Ralph