What is My Roll Top Desk Worth?

Cindi asks: What is my Cutler Roll Top desk worth?

AW says: The style of roll top desk you have is called a C-Roll as opposed to an s-roll. The s-rolls are more popular as they're more aesthetically pleasing. The first American patent for a roll top was issued to Abner Cutler, of Cutler Desk of Buffalo, NY in 1850.

Your desk is later than that. Your desk is Oak Veneer and a bit large for the average collector. Many times over sized items will take a while to sell, on the other hand, when you find a buyer that wants such an item, they are apt to pay a fair price. Date range: 1910s

Retail value:$500 -$600 (A solid Oak desk all the way around would bring more than a veneer desk.) (top price)

Wholesale value: $300-$350 (The midrange price you could expect to achieve at a well advertised live auction. The price that is most often realized)

Quick sale value: $250 The price your likely to get if you have to sell your item immediately and your prospective customer is aware of this.

Common trade terminology: Cutler Roll Top Desk, Oak Roll Top Desk

Nicknames or slang terms: C-Roll Top Desk In most cases.

Care and Storage Tips: I would take care to carefully glue any loose ends of peeling veneer to stop them from lifting further.