What defines a Victorian secretaire bookcase?

A Victorian secretaire bookcase combines an upper section of open or glazed shelving with a lower cabinet base featuring a drop-front drawer that opens to reveal an integrated writing surface and small storage compartments.

What materials and construction techniques are typical of pollard oak furniture?

Pollard oak furniture utilises timber cut from oak trees pruned to encourage dense, swirling burr patterns. Artisans applied these decorative veneers over solid oak frames, employing dovetail drawer joinery and hand-carved mouldings.

How can one identify authentic Victorian library furniture?

Authentic Victorian pieces feature heavy proportions, hand-cut dovetail joints, period-correct brass hardware, and original locking mechanisms. Wood surfaces often display characteristic age-related patination and slight irregularities in hand-carved elements.

How can an antique secretaire bookcase be styled in a modern interior?

Position the piece as a focal point against a neutral backdrop in a home office or study. Use the upper shelving to display modern ceramics or art books alongside vintage volumes to soften the formal Victorian silhouette.

What is the best method to care for burr pollard oak finishes?

Dust regularly with a soft dry cloth and apply a high-quality beeswax polish once or twice a year following the direction of the grain. Keep the item away from direct sunlight and heat sources to prevent timber shrinkage and veneer lifting.

for sale €5,850 $6,350

£5,000

Royal House Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Jun 2021

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Royal house antiques is a privately-owned family ran company founded in wimbledon in 2012 by husband and wife james and iris thorpe

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Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

Name: Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire
Brand: Antique
SKU: SA821367
Price: 5000 GBP
Availability: InStock

19th century

For Sale by Royal House Antiques

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare John Reid & Sons Victorian Library bookcase in Pollard Burr oak with oxblood leather drop front secretaire desk.

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price.

A very good looking and rare piece, pollard oak is highly collectable and was used by the finest furniture manufacturers, this piece is stamped to the rear John Reid & Son’s 13&14 Park Row Leeds.

The bookcase has fully adjustable top shelves, a drop front desk as mentioned with a nicely tooled oxblood leather top, the locks are stamped for Hobbs & Co London and Crofts and Assinder.

In terms of the condition, we have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, there will be plenty of patina marks from genuine age and honest use, the locks are temperamental and there are two keys present.

Reid & Sons a brief history

In 1838 the company received a Royal Appointment from Queen Victoria. On the retirement of Christian Bruce Reid from the company in 1845 his two older brothers took Christian John Reid (1816-1891), son of David Reid Snr, as a partner in the company.

The firm, known as Reid & Sons, operated from 12 Dean Street, 14 Grey Street (1843) and 41 Grey Street in Newcastle (1855) and exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and at the 1862 International Exhibition, again held in London.

Between 1844 and 1898/9 Reid & Sons sent a number of marine chronometers for trial at Greenwich, coming second in 1844. On other occasions the company came third in the trials and did well enough for the Admiralty to buy a number of their chronometers.

The Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton had a Reid & Sons chronometer.In 1858 William Ker Reid left the business having been an absent partner since 1812 when he had moved to London to set up his own company.

On the death of David Reid Snr. in 1868 Christian John Reid ran the company with his brother David Reid Jr. (1832-1914, who retired from the company in 1882) and his sons Thomas Arthur Reid (1845-1910) and Walter Cecil Reid (1846-1933) in partnership with Francis James Langford at 41 Grey Street and 48 Grainger Street in Newcastle. Christian Leopold Reid (1872-1924) joined the partnership on the retirement of Walter Cecil Reid.

In 1909 the company relocated to Blackett Street in Newcastle under the co-management of Thomas Arthur Reid, Christian Leopold Reid and William Septimus Leete (1865-1930). In 1930 the firm was converted into a limited liability company with the name Reid & Sons Ltd. which in 1967 became a subsidiary of the Northern Goldsmiths Co Ltd, who were founded in Newcastle in 1892.

The company has been part of the jewellery group Aurum Holdings since 2004, which is established as 'Goldsmiths' with about 160 shops across England and Northern Ireland. In 2013 Reid & Sons celebrated its 235th anniversary. Among the company's most notable commissions are the FA Cup, the Rugby League Trophy and Ernest Shackleton's chronometer. A timepiece made for the Newcastle & Berwick Railway is in the collection of the Science Museum in London.

Examples of their marine chronometers are held in the collection of the National Maritime Museum in Greenwich in London

Dimensions

Height:- 278cm top to bottom, top section alone 168cm bottom 110cm, this can be made shorter by removing the top ornate decorative timber

Width:- 157cm bottom, 167cm top

Depth:- 50cm bottom, 34.5cm top

Please note all measurements are taken at the widest point, if you would like any additional or specific measurements please ask.

Any questions please feel free to ask.

Physical Dimensions

Height

167cm (65.75")

Width

50cm (19.69")

Depth

50cm (19.69")

Declaration

Royal House Antiques has dated this Victorian Oak Secretaire Bookcase to the Victorian era.

Reference Numbers

Sellingantiques Reference

SA821367

Description

Royal House Antiques is delighted to offer for sale this stunning and very rare John Reid & Sons Victorian Library bookcase in Pollard Burr oak with oxblood leather drop front secretaire desk.

Please note the delivery fee listed is just a guide, it covers within the M25 only for the UK and local Europe only for international, if you would like an accurate quote, please send me your postcode and I’ll provide you with the exact price.

“

A very good looking and rare piece, pollard oak is highly collectable and was used by the finest furniture manufacturers, this piece is stamped to the rear John Reid & Son’s 13&14 Park Row Leeds.

Royal House Antiques

fig 1. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 1. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

The bookcase has fully adjustable top shelves, a drop front desk as mentioned with a nicely tooled oxblood leather top, the locks are stamped for Hobbs & Co London and Crofts and Assinder.

In terms of the condition, we have cleaned waxed and polished it from top to bottom, there will be plenty of patina marks from genuine age and honest use, the locks are temperamental and there are two keys present.

fig 2. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 2. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

Reid & Sons a brief history

In 1838 the company received a Royal Appointment from Queen Victoria. On the retirement of Christian Bruce Reid from the company in 1845 his two older brothers took Christian John Reid (1816-1891), son of David Reid Snr, as a partner in the company.

fig 3. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 3. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

The firm, known as Reid & Sons, operated from 12 Dean Street, 14 Grey Street (1843) and 41 Grey Street in Newcastle (1855) and exhibited at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and at the 1862 International Exhibition, again held in London.

fig 4. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 4. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

Between 1844 and 1898/9 Reid & Sons sent a number of marine chronometers for trial at Greenwich, coming second in 1844. On other occasions the company came third in the trials and did well enough for the Admiralty to buy a number of their chronometers.

fig 5. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 5. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

The Antarctic explorer Ernest Shackleton had a Reid & Sons chronometer.In 1858 William Ker Reid left the business having been an absent partner since 1812 when he had moved to London to set up his own company.

fig 6. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 6. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

On the death of David Reid Snr. in 1868 Christian John Reid ran the company with his brother David Reid Jr. (1832-1914, who retired from the company in 1882) and his sons Thomas Arthur Reid (1845-1910) and Walter Cecil Reid (1846-1933) in partnership with Francis James Langford at 41 Grey Street and 48 Grainger Street in Newcastle. Christian Leopold Reid (1872-1924) joined the partnership on the retirement of Walter Cecil Reid.

fig 7. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 7. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

In 1909 the company relocated to Blackett Street in Newcastle under the co-management of Thomas Arthur Reid, Christian Leopold Reid and William Septimus Leete (1865-1930). In 1930 the firm was converted into a limited liability company with the name Reid & Sons Ltd. which in 1967 became a subsidiary of the Northern Goldsmiths Co Ltd, who were founded in Newcastle in 1892.

fig 8. A Victorian burr pollard oak library bookcase featuring an upper open double-bay shelving unit above a base fitted with drawers, carved panels, and a drop-front secretaire drawer. — fig 8. Victorian Library Burr Pollard Oak Library Bookcase Drop Front Secretaire

The company has been part of the jewellery group Aurum Holdings since 2004, which is established as 'Goldsmiths' with about 160 shops across England and Northern Ireland. In 2013 Reid & Sons celebrated its 235th anniversary. Among the company's most notable commissions are the FA Cup, the Rugby League Trophy and Ernest Shackleton's chronometer. A timepiece made for the Newcastle & Berwick Railway is in the collection of the Science Museum in London.