Attributed to Orange County, late 18th century, yellow pine secondary, two part form, the dovetailed bookcase with an applied cove molded cornice, two hinged cabinet doors with six window lights each with molded mullions, shelved interior, the dovetailed desk with hinged lipped slant lid, loper support, divided interior with five small drawers, nine open compartments, the case with four graduated long drawers with scratch bead, full dust boards, applied molding at base, raised on four original shaped ogee bracket feet.

84.75 x 44 x 21 in., case width 41.5 in.

Private Collection, Durham, North Carolina

Elizabeth R. Daniel notes the history of this desk and bookcase being sold at an auction at the Hedgepeth home, Orange County, North Carolina, June 1969; the family history referred to it as "the press" and that it was used in the Orange County jail in Hillsborough, North Carolina. It was further noted that the key was hidden due to inmates attempting to escape and placed in the interior with a missing knob, which opens by way of a hole underneath.

Note the figured walnut used in the lid and drawer fronts.

Tight shrinkage split at lid; dark staining and surface inconsistency to the writing surface; later pulls; top drawer runners rebuilt; cut/patch/repair top right rear corner edge of desk; while the top is of the period and appears from the same shop, it is possibly later to the base as there is some coloration difference.

$2,000 - 3,000