What is a secretaire bookcase?

A secretaire bookcase includes a specialised drawer that pulls out and folds down to create a writing desk surface. This built-in desk sits discreetly behind a drawer front, keeping writing materials enclosed when not in use.

How do I distinguish original Georgian from Revival pieces?

Original pieces date from the eighteenth or early nineteenth centuries and show the timber patination of active use over generations. Georgian Revival pieces are later interpretations, often dating from the Edwardian period or the twentieth century, built using historical styles.

How were these large bookcases transported?

Most large library bookcases were constructed in distinct modular sections to allow for movement. The heavy base cupboards usually separate entirely from the tall glazed upper bookcases for easier placement in a room.