Larkin Secretary Desk Value Guide

The Larkin Secretary Desk is a quintessential piece of American mail-order history, originally offered as a premium by the Larkin Soap Company of Buffalo, New York. These versatile oak units combined a drop-front writing surface with integrated bookshelves and mirrored hutches, making them a staple of early 20th-century households.

What Is Larkin Secretary Desk Worth?

The typical price range for Larkin Secretary Desk is $400 - $600 based on recent sales. However, values can vary depending on the item's condition, rarity, and other factors such as:

• Condition of the original mirror, as silvering loss or cracks can significantly decrease the $400-$600 market value.
• Presence of the original skeleton key and functional locking mechanism for the drop-front writing surface.
• The integrity of the finish; original shellac finishes are more desirable to collectors than modern polyurethane refinishing.
• Completeness of the interior cubbies and small drawers located behind the drop-front panel.

How to Identify Larkin Secretary Desk?

• Look for the distinctive combination of a drop-front desk paired with side-mounted open or glass-front bookshelves.
• Examine the wood for quarter-sawn oak grain patterns typical of the Arts and Crafts or Eastlake design elements favored by Larkin.
• Check for a small rectangular paper label or stamped mark on the back panel or underside identifying the Larkin Co. of Buffalo, N.Y.
• Identify the specific hardware style, which often features ornate brass or copper-toned pulls consistent with 1900-1920 manufacturing.

History of Larkin Secretary Desk

The Larkin Company of Buffalo, New York, was a major mail-order business in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Known primarily for soap, they used premiums, including furniture, to incentivize purchases. These secretary desks were popular household items, often acquired by customers who collected coupons or paid a combination of cash and coupons. Larkin furniture is recognizable by its solid construction and often features distinctive Arts and Crafts or Eastlake design elements, as seen in this piece.