Handsome vintage mid-century modern Mengel drop front
secretary desk by Raymond Loewy. Comprised of an oak case, cerused oak drawer
fronts, and black iron hardware and legs. Beautiful condition, keeping in mind
that this is vintage and not new so will have signs of use and wear. It has
been thoroughly cleaned and restored. There were a couple very small veneer
patches made on back edges and a scratch in the top touched up and repaired as
best could be without refinishing. Please see photos and zoom in for details.
We attempt to portray any imperfections. Circa, 1950-1959.
NOTE: If you love this magnificent Secretary Desk or
Gentleman’s Chest by Raymond Loewy for Mengel we have a matching Telephone
Bench listed here for sale if it is still available!
Simple, Stunning, and Superior Style!!! This is a GORGEOUS
drop front Secretary desk designed by Raymond Loewy for Mengel!! It is comprised
of a limed oak veneer case, an oak veneer drop down door that doubles as a work
surface and original light blue painted interior including a cubby and a top
drawer with a center divider, 3 large lower drawers with interior dividers and charcoal
colored cerused oak drawer fronts, black iron hardware, and straight outward
angled black iron legs. IT. IS. FABULOUS!!!!! Obviously, it is going to be
wonderful in the study, den, or home office used as a desk, but we also think
it would be a great Gentleman’s chest or cabinet. Use the bottom drawers for
clothing, blankets, or larger items and behind the drop-down door is a perfect
place for watches, jewelry, and other accessories. There is tons of storage
space for all of your de-clutter needs! This desk has the handy feature to fold
away and hide your mess! Just fold up the tabletop and you have a gorgeous
free-standing cabinet and no mess! It’s like having your office in a box so it
would work perfectly for smaller rooms, apartments, or lofts.
C.C. Mengel formed the Mengel Furniture Co. sometime following the
Civil War in Louisville, Kentucky. In addition to household furnishings, they
also produced wooden washing machines and boxes in various sizes. In order to
ensure an adequate supply of lumber they operated mills in Belize, British Honduras, and
Arizona. C.C. Mengel Jr. and C.R. Mengel took over the firm at the turn of
the 20TH century, which was now called C.C. Mengel & Brothers
Co. At the time it was the country’s largest manufacturer of wooden boxes. New product lines appeared in the early
twentieth century including the very popular Mengel Playthings line of wooden
toys. Their primary products were wooden wagons, tricycles, and wooden
slides. Mengel had also been supplying automakers with wooden components since
the erection of the Ford Motor Company’s Louisville assembly plant and Monroe
convinced the firm’s directors to build a new facility to supply similar
products to additional manufacturers. In 1924 Mengel took out a license to
manufacture Meritas-clad composite bodies using Kenneth L. Childs patents for
the Louisville Ford distributor. Their town car bodies were marketed as an
upscale alternative to the standard Model T and were available with a
Rolls-Royce-style radiator. They also offered a line of commercial bodies and
are one of the known body builders for the US Postal Service. The disappearance
of the composite body ended Mengel’s work for Ford and other automobile
manufacturers. The firm chose to concentrate on their successful door and
furniture business which included some beautiful art-deco radio cabinets for
Philco. Following the war, they started manufacturing doors and windows for the
growing construction industry and also built a popular line of home
furnishings, bedroom sets, dining room sets, and living room furniture. They
were purchased in 1956 by the Kroehler Manufacturing Co. who slowly eliminated
their furniture line, electing to concentrate on their popular doors and
windows. -coachbuilt
Raymond
Loewy, an iconic French American designer who was dubbed “the father of
industrial design,” had many well-known projects; and over his career span he
consulted with over two hundred companies, leaving his mark in the design
world. Some of his most notable achievements include the popular Shell, Exxon,
BP, and TWA logos; a Greyhound bus; an S-1 locomotive; the Lucky Strike
cigarette package; the Coldspot refrigerator for Sears; the Avanti for
Studebaker; plus, designs for Harley Davidson and Coca Cola. He also designed NASA
Skylab, the Airforce One livery, and the John F. Kennedy memorial postage
stamp, among other notable items. From products such as furniture to public
transportation Raymond Loewy took pride in making what he called “the mundane
side of the 20th Century more beautiful.” He worked for Mengel from
1950 to 1959. Notably Raymond Loewy was featured on the cover of TIME magazine
in October 1949 and in 1975 the Smithsonian Institute opened “The Designs of
Raymond Loewy,” a four-month exhibition dedicated to his life’s work and
achievements. Mr. Loewy passed away in 1986.
Iconic Designer and manufacturer, versatility, high quality,
and superior style. This magnificent secretary desk has it all. You know you
want it, just make it yours!
Desk Size
·
Height: - 47.25 Inches
·
Width: - 36 Inches
·
Depth: - 19.25 Inches
·
Distance from Floor to Bottom – 8 Inches
·
Drop Front Size – 15.5 x 35 Inches
·
Worktop Height – 29 Inches
·
Weight: - 135.7 Pounds
Crated Size:
·
Height: - 53 Inches
·
Width: - 42 Inches
·
Depth: - 25 Inches
·
Weight: - 300 Pounds
We ask that the buyer cover freight. Please send zip code
for a quote to your area.