Maple Early American Style Bookcase


Repeat visitors will recognize this from my home page, though I had it tagged as Arts & Crafts style originally. Oops... This early American style bookcase came in with what I believe was the original finish. Much too dark in my, and the client's, opinion. Through wear, the natural wood was showing thru...


as you can see. Also, the client couldn't find the drawer before delivery. It was soon found and brought in to the shop before I began stripping, fortunately!


Stripping was fairly easy since the finish had deteriorated and was actually flaking off in spots. I believe this reproduction was made circa 1940's - 50's as I found white/yellow carpenter's glue residue in the joints.


Sharp eyes may notice, and I can confirm that the wedged tenons are in fact fake. They were simply tacked on for looks. This would never have happened in the original era of this style, but was common by the time of reproduction.


All in all, a very satisfying job that left my shop looking, by all indications, better than when new.

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