Hello collectors,
Regarding Bossard's unmarked file cabinet. It is 100% most definitely a Globe-Wernicke, circa 1900's - 1920's. Globe was the only maker of this particular style with solid body construction and fold-down front doors. Came with solid doors also. I have several. Also came in a 4-drawer and had some variety of smaller drawers in place of one of the file drawers, and even a full front door for a locker look. Came in different widths: receipt, letter, legal. Some copying of the fold down drawer fronts out there as referenced by stonecat, have seen single stack units before. The Globes were made to be able to bolt together in a row, notice the white / light specs on top & bottom side board's. Those are actually grommets that a metel rod slid through to anchor each cabinet securely to the file next to. Interior file cabinets were often bulk ordered without side panels (frames only) to save money, since they would be within a row or bank of files and their sides hidden. Last clue, Globe was one of very few that had their handles vertical vs. horizontal in early 1900's. That was a style informal trademark. Most Globes that I have seen that have handles horizontal are 1930's and forward. That is 99% accurate every single time. Best of luck to all & happy antiquing, Dennisd99

3_Drawer_File_Cabinet_-_02.jpg (16 Kb, 21 downloads)

Here are two different Globe Wernicke ogee tops side by side in one picture. One has a more gradual curve and one has more of a 90 degree angle at the corner. Did this vary from factory to factory or is there a deliberate reason for this?

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Baddog
Junior Member
Posted 10-29-06 09:04 AM
I have acquired a bookcase from the above referenced manufacturer as follows:

Five sections all with original labels as follows:
Globe-Wernicke
Sectional Bookcase
Made in Stratford
Economy Book Unit


The Economy Top Pattern #741(3" high)
The top two sections Pattern #709(both 11" high)Third section Pattern #711(13" high)
Bottom section Pattern # 713(15" high)

All four are Grade # 398 1/2.

To my knowledge,no restoration or refinishing has been done to this piece although it is in good condition.Please,if you can, provide any advice on care or restoration and the approx. age,history and possible value if restored.

Many thanks
Baddog
Posts: 1 | Registered: 10-29-06

Stonecat
Member
Posted 11-02-06 11:08 PM Hide Post
Its pre 1926 when Globe W shut down in Stratford and sold their factory to another company. If its in good original condition then just give it a mild soap cleaning and then a coat of wax, buffed to a nice glow. The "economy" units lack the fancy hardware straps on the side and the scrolled and framed edges of other types of units. Ballpark retail value is 200-300 a unit so 1000-1500, but leaning to the low side because of the "economy" style.

We have a 'Master Thread' on GW a bit further down, so I'll move this shortly to the end of that thread.


Stonecat, Moderator
Posts: 1003 | Registered: 01-27-05

quote:

Originally posted by Bossard:
Here are two different Globe Wernicke ogee tops side by side in one picture. One has a more gradual curve and one has more of a 90 degree angle at the corner. Did this vary from factory to factory or is there a deliberate reason for this?

Thats a hard core question - maybe dennis99 will show up again with an answer. My gut reaction would be a scaling down of the complexity and cost of producing the tops, maybe at a later date for GW, to keep prices down and products competitive.

I have acquired a Globe Wernicke bookcase with six units and two of the units need refinishing on the ends. The finish is crunchy and almost all gone in spots. The original finish is 299. I was wondering what they used to get that glass like finish, some kind of varnish? Since oak is an open grain, what would they have used to fill it before the top finish? I want to make this match as much as possible to the original finish.

quote:

Originally posted by Stonecat:

quote:

Originally posted by Bossard:
Here are two different Globe Wernicke ogee tops side by side in one picture. One has a more gradual curve and one has more of a 90 degree angle at the corner. Did this vary from factory to factory or is there a deliberate reason for this?

Thats a hard core question - maybe dennis99 will show up again with an answer. My gut reaction would be a scaling down of the complexity and cost of producing the tops, maybe at a later date for GW, to keep prices down and products competitive.

Hello collectors,
Stonecat asked for my input and I also graciously added a bonus at bottom: Regarding Bossard's two posts on (1) art glass doors in some stackers that were pictured & (2) about the different style tops - (1 The art glass is 99% a replacement or add on. Someone told me a long time ago there was a dealer mid century or later that updated his stackers for resale to look different and command a higher price. Only a 1% chance they were special order, GW used the door glass patterns posted on the 1st page and that was it. If a GW has colored glass or art shapes, my opinion is it is virtually impossible to be original from a US factory, my opinion. (2) about the different tops, a couple of variables exist. GW was most known, Macey made same size & types and was interchangeable with a little jostling. I have also seen other cloned stack sections with original factory labels from 2 or 3 different manufacturers I had never heard of that had the metal side bands and also fit GW's. Everyone wanted to copy the leader GW in ealy 1900's through early 20's. Most likely, they would be a different manufacturer (or) made in another country. Remember, Globe sold banks and banks of the exact mirror units to be set side by side in uniform conformity.

BONUS - Giving away a couple of secrets - In Ebay search, type in Macey Catalog, go to online store and you will get a selection of well done CD's from Atocha Stamps. Nice guy, he has scanned (7) GW catalogs, (7) Macey, (4) Gunn, (4) Lundstrom and (1) Weis that I know of. Excellent source material and very fun to read. Amazing & rare units I almost never ever see in real life anymore. Wish I had kept some during my selling years RECOMENDATIONS: Space your purchases a few years apart as sequential years were almost alike. Double check your page counts, more pages usually meant new items. As always, GW got a little confusing in later years as they had 4-5 styles that did not fit each other. One day I will get my file cabinet catalog from 1911 scanned. As an interesting note, GW classified the 41 inch wide stackers as file storage vs. barristers. I collect file cabinets and 41's mostly. Most have come and gone during auctions and private sales. Still enjoy the search though. All the best to everyone.

Happy holidays and happy antiquing,
Dennisd99

Bossard. I recently stained some raw oak bookcase doors that I ordered from Dr. RQ on ebay with some Minwax American Walnut stain and then a few coats of plain bullseye shellac. You can dull down the sheen with some steelwool when it's dry if you need to, but the stain/shellac combo is a great and authentic solution. Try buying a can of bullseye shellac on a less noticable or truly damaged corner of the wood. It should just melt itself into the old original shellac and be pretty seamless.

I just got my third set of GW cases on craigslist. A 5 tall stack of C cases in original 299 tiger oak. Beautiful! Very exciting.

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We have a GW file cabinet with the following on the label:375
VL Upright
G-25
Any comment on this appreciated.
Wmoore

I own a globe wernicke peice that has the lable of a-c double D. 8 1/2,10 1/4 and a larger bottom shelf the pattern is 2300 it has a 598 1/2 grade which I have read is a mahogany however I have not seen anyone with this type since it is a double wide case with each section with two doors six in total,it is 48 inches wide and high. it has a top and a base as well. It is a family pass down and I wonder if anyone knows about the value or any other information.

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<Esancsufan>
Posted 01-20-07 05:13 PM
I have a D 10 1/4 / 299 1/2 set of shelves without a top. will a 299 top fit this set?

Thanks!

I was wondering where I can get replacement wood moulding that holds the felt in place on the bookcase doors. I have a couple of doors that have half the moulding missing and the felt is hanging out.

Bossard

quote:

Originally posted by Bossard:
Picture 3

New to this forum and own a Globe Wernicke 3 stack Double Diamond- Ideal leaded doors (34' wide). It was manufactured in Stratford, Ontario and has a Grade 296, sizes D 8 1/2", D10 1/2" and D12 1/2" in good condition. Looks exactly like your picture. Any idea on it's value?
Thanks!
Dave

I AM LOOKING FOR ANY IDEAL LINE FROM GLOBE WERNICKE IN ANY CONDITON FROM WHOLE LIBRARIES TO PARTS. THANKS! Sincerely Kip.

I have recently inherited a "Wernicke System Elastic Bookcase", The Wernicke Co, Grand Rapids, MI, USA. D Flat Top 198, 1815. The only info I can find is from Globe Wernicke. Would this piece have been manufactured before joining Globe and if so, is there any info available? Or does it even matter re: the value and history of the piece. Thanks for any help you can give me. Ann

quote:

Originally posted by Ann:
Would this piece have been manufactured before joining Globe and if so, is there any info available? Or does it even matter re: the value and history of the piece.

Yes it would be pre 1899 if it's just tagged Wernicke. Any info available would probably just be through googling - I don't think there is anything in print for Globe Wernicke and its history. Value would depend on quality and condition compared to relatively similar later pieces, after the Globe Wernicke merger. I don't think the pre merger identification will be a huge factor unless you were able to get two people with matching sets wanting to add to them, and willing to bid it up. Otherwise, people in the market for stackers might actually prefer later pieces because it's probably easier to find matching pieces that might be more common.

I have a globe wernicke bookcase that is made up of 1 mission size D 8 1/2 grade 898 unit with a double sliding glass unit below. I have not seen any information on the double sliding glass units and am interested in finding out about them. The catalogue pages that were posted did not include the ones on the double units. The piece is only 48 inches high and I would like to add another single unit to it. Does anyone know where I can purchase separate grade 898 units.

Hi, I have two Globe Wernicke Barrister Bookcases that are about 6' tall. Both have labels inside that say D409 8 1/2 and 847. I looked thru this posting and couldn't find anything on them. Any idea of the age, wood, etc? I could really use some help. Thanks! Madeline

The file cabinets I have by Globe Wernicke are made of oak. can you post an image?

Fred

This site has been a wealth of information. I recently purchased a 4 stack bookcase. One shelf is just marked Wernicke System Elastic bookcase c-11 299, and the other three are Globe Wernicke. None of them have labels (all are labeled on the top board of the shelf)and none have the scissor-type door mechanism at the top. Can anyone tell me if the scissor type door mechanism was a later addition, or are mine just missing. I really don't see where they would have attached. Thanks for any help. BarbaraC

Hello

I have a Globe Wernicke 4 unit made in Cincinnati. 3 of the units are D 8 1/2 198 5568 (plain oak, fine medium dark antique gloss finish with copper trimming) and the bottom unit is D 10 1/4 299 4714 (quarter sawn oak) with scissors. I think the top is a quarter sawn ogee curve? I don't have a bottom for this set.

Wondering about its value?
Many Thanks!

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