Mid-Century Metal Desks -- Weekend Recap

I love finding diamonds in the rough - particularly when I just take a chance on something rather than standing around trying to Google things on my Blackberry.  Here is this weekend's best haul from picking over estate and garage sales (the weather was actually conducive on Friday and Saturday although it is now a snowy Sunday night).

I spotted this desk under a pile of dusty computer bags and luggage.  I didn't know much about these desks - but it looked solid as can be, free from rust and all the drawers were smooth as silk.  It just looked like quality to me, and was marked $20.  I ended up getting an old steel Black and Decker tool box along with the desk (and a bonus) all for $20.  I'd love to replace all the particle board junk in the Lab with quality vintage stuff.

I didn't take any before pix as there wasn't much to do but clean everything, oil the drawers and clean and moisturize the top surface. Here is the manufacturer's badge - The General Fireproofing Co, Youngstown, OH.

I didn't realize quite how sought after these desks can be until I started researching.  Wow - here's a very similar one - somewhat less useful and beat to hell - for about 80 times what I paid.  Here is a 1964 brochure that lists a similar but slightly different model as a 1450 (as it is 50 inches wide).  Here is a site showing how retro-chic places are refinishing these desks down to bare steel with a clear coat.  They look great and get a load of that pricing!

Here are the helpers.

And here we have Jenny's computer stuff deployed.  We will definitely need to look out for the right vintage lamp for her new desk!  When cleaning out the desk, the "Bonus" we found was a 1922 "Peace" silver dollar!  Not in mint condition - but quite decent.

Item Details:  

Mid-Century Metal "Tanker" Desk

Construction Materials:

Steel!

Manufacturer Information:

The General Fireproofing Co, Youngstown Ohio