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Information on Antique School Desks

Anyone who attended elementary school remembers his school desk. You probably spent many hours there reading, writing or daydreaming as your third grade teacher droned on in the background. However, as much time as we might have spent behind our school desks, the origins of this significant piece of furniture remain obscure to most. Antique school desks have become an item of great interest to many collectors of historical furniture.

History
- Accounts vary to as to who invented the school desk, and when. One of the earliest instances of the scholarly specimen is surely Rankin's School Desk. An 1863 issue of the Indianapolis Journal proudly reported that James Rankin, a local principal and school administrator, designed a school desk that was adopted by schools in Chicago and Louisville. The design was particularly noteworthy for its "convenience and cheapness." Before this invention, students sat on benches with slates and slate pencils, creating difficulty multitasking when they were reading books or raising their hands.
Design
- School desks, both antique and modern, are normally composed of a seat with an adjoining table that students can use as a surface for reading and writing. In many cases, the lid of the table can be lifted to access a storage area for students' books, pencils and other personal items. There are also open-front desks where the student can store items without having to pull open the lid.
Materials
- In the 19th century, most school desks were constructed from wood. In fact, some woodworkers incorporated elaborate designs and workmanship into these functional pieces. During the 20th century, mass-produced metal desks became widespread, especially in high schools. Recently, "tablet arm chairs" made from plastic without storage space have become popular in many educational settings. Since they do not contain storage space, they can be moved from classroom to classroom without any difficulty.
Market Value
- Antique school desks can sell for under $50 or for as much as several hundred if the condition and craftsmanship are top-notch. Metal desks from the 1960s and later carry little resale value.
Where to Find Them
- Collectors Weekly and eBay are two excellent websites where antique school desks can be purchased online. You may also try to contact your local elementary school to find out if they kept any old school desks in storage.

Antiques