These form part of an original set of 8 carts I purchased in 2012 and are being sold as a near matching pair. 

These are both unique and make a pretty good match. They are fabulously versatile and are perfect as kitchen shelving, bookshelves, hallway storage, your sewing or millinery room or for general portable shelving. 

Measurements: 

Trolley 1

stamped Finishing Room (left of main picture):

Overall - 100.8cm x 37.8cm x height to top of sides 113.5cm

Shelves - 96.5cm x 37.4cm

Trolley 2 

(Right of main picture):

Overall - 101cm x 36.9cm x height to top of sides 115cm

Shelves - 97cm x 36.9cm

These are 2 of 5 trolley carts that we are planning to sell. These are being sold as a pair as they are a near match. The other 3 trolley carts all have backboards and will be listed separately.

Due to their size and weight, we are unable to post these items. The listing is for unpackaged collection only (please contact me for details). I am very happy to recommend removal | courier | international couriers for packing and shipment so that you can source a quote directly / make your booking. For all UK collections, you will need a van. *PLEASE IGNORE THE FREE U.K. DELIVERY NOTE AS THERE IS NO COLLECTION ONLY BUTTON AVAILABLE

As these were industrial workhorses please expect general signs of wear, scratches, scuffs, chips, dents, wood wear, stains, sticker remnants, paint and ink marks. They have a wonderfully rich patina and are remarkably sturdy so they can take a significant amount of weight.

The following text is part of the original description for the original eight trolley carts listed when I purchased these in 2012: 

“A gritty looking bunch with the look and indications of a hard yet maintained life. Looking at the construction and level of distressing, the carts could be from any factory and of any age back to the 20's, however a clue to their origin is in a Royal stamp found on the underside of a number of them. It reads" Tynecraft, ER ( a crown ) 1957”.

 

The story obviously begins within a government department/industry in the 1950's, probably shunting around paper, books and general odds and ends. In the 80's they were purchased by a printing works, given a good service and repair, and life went on. Rescued for a second time in 2012, they find themselves again on the open market, this time unsuspectingly, at the cutting edge of trend.

 

With all the charm and character of a well matured, rustic, antique piece of furniture, the twists is in their modern day use as industrial style bookcases or shelving units…

 

Condition:

 

You will find numerous indications of running repairs and maintenance, changed screws, replaced castors, occasional patch etc. A hand-written label to a number of them states the last time they were serviced, ranging from the 80's to 90's. Ready for use, all with a look which simply couldn't be re-produced, they're an honest bunch who wear their hearts on their sleeves.

 

Construction / Structure: Sound, sturdy and ready for use.

Solid timber structure, appear to be made predominantly from various cuts of ash, with odd pieces of pine. The original set of six also with thick 7 ply backboards. The pair designed for use without backboards (here for sale), do have a series of old screw holes to one side, suggesting later back boards were applied for a period and then removed.

 

Although predominantly ash, the use of various timbers does add a little to the quirk. Pine softer, tends to age more dramatically in the grain becoming more textured and pronounced.

 

Dovetail and finger joints to bottom corners, whilst shelves are fitted with exposed mortise and tenon joints. Backboards fitted with screws. Some screws missing, some changed, some added, all stable.

 

Distressing / Finish: All with a sustained, prolonged level of distressing in the knocks and bumps gained in an industrial factory type setting. Edges and corners, hardly defined in some areas.

 

Stains to the timber on odd shelves. Hand written notes and measurements can also be found here and there.

 

The sides of one of the pair of carts, has been painted black at some point in its life. This in turn has worn away in large areas and has a well aged level of distressing.

 

Having spent the decades in a printing establishments/ factories, odd stickers, advertisements and images have been pasted to the sides of some carts.

 

Original stenciled numbers and departments on some carts, are a look many repro companies now reproduce.

 

 

Running repairs / Servicing & Castors : To the inside of a number of the carts is a hand applied and written label with states and dates the last time the cart was serviced. Dates ranging from 1984 to 94. This suggests the trolleys were given a good once over every so often, better prevention than cure. At these points, it appears steel brackets would have been added to front of joints where shelves meet sides, also lengths of L brackets to some back corners. Various screws used, and screws missing to backboards. All repairs and servicing looks a little no fuss and hands on.

 

Castors and wheel bearers. All black painted iron and steel. The wheels with a rubber tyre. Four castors per cart, two of them are in a fixed position whilst two rotate in order to help steer the cart. Does help negotiate tight corners however, is something of a skill.

 

We noted out of all, that one black wheel is different. The wheel bearers are all fitted through the bottom block of timber by bolts. Our feeling is that the wheel bearers are original, and the wheels, sympathetic later replacements. The castors are all heavy duty with inner bearings.

 

On the pair of carts & two of the set of six: It appears the supporting block of timber for the castors on the underside, was also replaced. They should run from side to side, however on these carts short blocks running from front to back are found, Looks like well aged timber salvaged from other broken carts at the time. Also, rather than the castors being attached by bolts, screws have been used. These carts as a consequence of using salvaged timber blocks, vary in height by an odd cm or so.

 

Timber Shrinkage: Almost as expected with a well aged and exposed solid timber, natural shrinkage, shifting and mild bowing has occurred in places. Some seams and joints also opening by a few mm's. The grain on a couple of top shelves has also become really quite pronounced, making the top surface a little uneven. All carts are stable.”

 

Shipping:

Due to the size and weight of these trolleys, the listing for collection only. 

Buyers pays any additional custom / import duties / taxes. 

No returns on these items.