I am a recent convert to A&C and have fallen in love with all the aspects of the designs. I now own two libray tables and would love information on how to research more about them.

Can anyone suggest a book that discusses them and the various designs on them? Both of mine are oak and have bookshelves on the sides and a drawer in the middle. One has a half moon pattern and the other has a tulip pattern (my terms).

Also, I am looking for a source of the Milwaukee Chair Co. I have just bought an oak chair that I believe was made by them.

Milwaukee Chair Co.
• Milwaukee, WI, ca1889-ca1940
• office chairs, institutional chairs
• made chairs for the U.S. House and Senate

In regards to library tables, these are really quite common. Virtually every Mission maker that wasn't just a chair company, made at least one model of library table or desk. Side shelves are very common regardless of maker. I think so many of these were made is because the cutting and joinery work was relatively easy - square cuts on every piece. If you could post pics we might be able to trace yours a bit. There isn't one book I would recommend, as virtually every catalog reprint or original, auction catalog, general A&C furniture book and so on, will have library tables. You can surf eBay anytime and likely see a dozen or more.

This all being said, they are extremely useful pieces of furniture and it's great that they are relatively common to find, and often not very expensive because dealers handle them so much. Major makers of course are a different story in terms of valuations.