Hello.

I recently purchased a gus library table #616, with intact paper label, and branded signature, dating the table from 1912-1916.

The drawers are not dovetailed, as I would have expected. Was this common for the later dated tables?

Appreciate your thoughts...love this forum.

I've owned this desk (several) in my years of collecting and the drawers were always dovetailed to my knowledge. Very early experimental Gus pieces didn't have dovetails (a few rare pieces), but for the most part, Stickley drawers, be they desks, highboys and buffets usually had dovetail joints and joined the front fascia to the drawer. The backs were never dovetailed because of they didn't face any torquing, and the drawer needed to expand and contract. The question is: are the faces of the drawers original and the hardware? There is always the possibility that the drawers were replaced or rebuilt. By the end of Stickley's run till bankruptcy, there were issues of quality and cutting corners. More and more uses of oak veneer. Still, I think that construction on the whole was still solid. When L&JG took over Gus' company and formed the joint venture, most designs were basically the same. And I don't remember any L & JG pieces with drawers that weren't dovetailed.

My welcome to you both. Dave it is good to have you lend a hand here in th furniture forum. Thank you for your willingness to share. Most of my knowledge is in the metals of the period.

Welcome NEBungalow trish,

Please post a picture if you can. This type of thing is very visual. We could offer some opinions on the hardware and or drawer fronts having been replaced, if we could see your new table.

Lauren

Thanks to everyone who's replied!

I've added a link to photos of the library table. If more photos would be helpful, please let me know.

This table is the larger 54 inch version.


http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=8ActGbhs3bs2IE¬ag=1

-Trish

Thanks for the pictures.

From what I see, the facia board on drawer and hardware look original. It matches the rest of the piece. While there is no traditional dovetail joint, there is modified wedge detail that holds the front of the drawer to the side. I've never personally seen this on any Gus piece, however, it looks factory done. Plus there is what seems to be a compass logo on the side of the drawer. But that is unusual too since this model of desk was ususally signed on the bottom of the drawer. This may be a later version where the company took steps to cut down on labor costs. (Which is somewhat vexing since dovetails weren't hand cut by Stickley's days and much things were cut by machine). At any rate, the piece looks like it's in great condition. While not a very rare piece (library tables seem to be the most ubiquitous)it is a good example of Gus'Craftsman period.

Dovetails or not, that's a nice form!

Good morning Trish,
I agree with Dave on this table and the picture 11 shows a half vertical dove tail on the edge but I personally don't see how it could effectively hold the drawer together unless there is something hidden for strength.

I also welcome you and Dave to the forums and your input is without a doubt welcomed.

Respectfully,

Ralph Jones

I don't know. I've never seen a step like that in a Gus drawer, early or late. Looks to me like someone took a different drawer and modified it to fit this piece. The joint doesn't look like it would hold up for the 80+ years it's been around. And the edge looks too smooth and rubbed on. The side wood on the drawer looks like it's lost its oxidation, which would also indicate it's been trimmed. Late Gus drawers tend to have a lip that extends out beyond the drawer side and they were rarely flush like that after 1912. Still, the rest looks great.