Catalog Auction info Auction #128 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#128) 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Lot #348Antique Burl Walnut Cylinder Top Desk The Personal Property of William B. Ruger Sr. Click image to enlarge PreviousNextSimilar Items Lot closed - Sold Price (Including Buyer`s Premium):$10,200 Estimate: $4,000 - $6,000 Auction #128 - Two-Day Sale, November 21st & 22nd (#128) 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Closed Starts Ending 11/21/2020 9:00 AM EST Auction Info Description Description: This is a lovely Eastlake-style cylinder top kneehole desk that was owned and used for years by William Batterman Ruger Sr. who needs no introduction here. The desk is constructed of oak with a lovely walnut burl veneer, the hidden interior bones constructed of pine. Dating to the 19th Century and once owned by Attorney and U.S. Senator Chancey Mitchell Depew, this is really a fantastic example of the cylinder design exhibiting high craftsmanship and attention to detail. The top cylinder and work surface of the desk is set on two pedestals of four drawers each, the right bank modified during the period of use into a single top drawer with simple four position vertical file beneath, suitable for ledger books or similar types of files, hidden beneath pivoting door which mimics the façade of the other drawers on the piece. The center cabinet section behind the kneehole has double doors, the left features a hidden fastener which, when the door is unlocked serves to free it for opening (currently does not function). The edge of the pedestals flanking the drawers show small incise-carved pillars accenting the raised burl veneer panels and the drawer pulls are cupped under-cut nickel silver-colored art deco-era replacements, each with a small geometric motif cast-in. The upper cylinder frame and work surface area of the desk features four oak cubbies, each to left and right, with lightly carved façade accents, these mounted above the four functional drawers with button accented pulls and a larger open center cubby. There is a pull-out working surface with five dummy-front drawers at its rear, which match identically the functional drawers above them. These are concealed when the writing surface is slid back into the desk for locking of the complete unit, and are exposed giving the appearance of eight drawers when the work surface is deployed. There is a leather writing surface set in the center of the pullout work surface, with embossed inner edge, the outer edge embossed with gold imprinted open foliate and floral decoration, the surface proper measuring 44'' by 17 1/4'' in depth, the surface showing a couple minor scuffs but remaining in excellent condition overall. There is a keyed lock atop the façade which actuated an automatic locking system that locks the pivoting top of the desk and left bank of drawers shut; the interior locking bar was removed years ago and it is currently not functional but could likely be restored if one wished. There is a short 5'' façade atop the top-most flat surface of the desk, also showing two very nice raised burl panels with a circular carved oak ''bull's-eye'' between the two, a stepped oak grooved pillar above this. The overall condition is about excellent showing much original varnish with some light wear here and there, perhaps the very sparsely scattered very light drying crack, but drawers, pivoting top, work surface and all doors are fully functional. The outside dimensions of the desk are 60'' wide by 50'' to the top shelf, 55 3/8'' to the top of the rear accenting façade. The desk is 31 1/2'' deep when the writing surface is stowed, with work surface extended it is roughly 43'' deep. British architect and furniture designer Charles Eastlake was responsible for ''The Eastlake Movement'' generally considered part of the late Victorian period. Eastlake felt that the furniture in people's homes should be as good looking as it was functional and should be made by craftsmen who enjoyed their work. Included with the desk is a copy of Ruger & His Guns in-which the desk is pictured; a copy of After the Hunt, The Art Collection of William B Ruger, a black and white glossy photo of Bill Ruger holding a Ruger Blackhawk, the desk pictured over his left shoulder; a color photo of the desk in Ruger's office in Connecticut (the identical image used in the book); and a glossy color photo of Ruger and his son Tom in front of the desk. Also included is a May 12, 2020 dated hand-written statement in blue ball point pen from Caroline Ruger Vogel, Bill's daughter, authenticating the desk and a very nicely made custom-engraved plaque mentioning that the desk belonged to Ruger and that it was used by him at the Southport office from 1959 until his retirement in 2000; it is unfastened and unmounted but includes brass screws should you wish to mount the plaque somewhere on the desk. This desk is well-documented, published and has unquestionable provenance. This would be the ultimate centerpiece for the advanced Ruger collector. (39798-1) (4000/6000) Categories: miscellaneous Terms and conditions TERMS & CONDITIONS OF SALE The following paragraphs represent the terms under which all sales by Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. are conducted. Bidding on any item in the sale indicates the bidder’s full acceptance and understanding of all terms and conditions of sale. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. has taken great care in the preparation of the descriptions in this catalog. Although we believe everything in the descriptions to be true, we do not guarantee any part of any description. We recommend that the bidders view the items in person and form their own opinions as to condition, originality, origin, etc. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will consider all requests for refunds. If a customer is unhappy with a purchase, we will be happy to discuss a remedy with them. All requests for refunds must be made within 30 days of the sale date. Therefore, it is important that absentee bidders pay for their items in a timely fashion. All requests for refunds received after 30 days of the sale date will not be considered. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to reject any bid in order to protect our consignor’s interests. PAYMENT POLICY All invoices are payable upon receipt. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept cash, check, wire transfer, MasterCard, Visa, Discover and American Express as payment for items purchased. Online payment is available for buyers directly through the online invoicing process. Bidders who fail to pay their invoices in full by the 25th day following the sale agree to have their total invoice amount charged to the credit card listed on file and therefore forfeit any cash discount they may have previously been entitled to. Credit card purchases are limited to $50,000.00 per customer, per auction. Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. reserves the right to demand cash or hold merchandise until funds are collected in full. There will be a $35.00 charge for all returned checks. A 17.5% Buyer’s Premium will be added to all purchases regardless of price with a 2.5% discount when paid with check, cash or wire transfer. This premium is to be paid as part of the purchase price. Buyers who pay after the 25th day following the auction forfeit this discount regardless of payment form. No items are to be removed from our facility until paid for in full by the purchaser. GUIDELINES FOR FIREARM DELIVERIES All Federal, State and Local firearms laws will be strictly adhered to. FFL holders may take possession of any firearm on day of sale (excluding Class III) when they present a signed copy of their Federal Firearms License. If an FFL dealer is sending an “agent” to pick up items, that person must be a bona fide, paid employee of the company with a W4 on file. Outside contractors cannot be used as pickup agents. A SIGNED LETTER FROM THE FFL STATING THIS FACT MUST BE PRESENTED AT TIME OF PICK UP. The FFL Dealer will in turn be notified that a transfer was made to you as their agent. New Hampshire residents over the age of 21 may take possession of any firearm, on day of sale, provided the proper paperwork is completed and the transfer has been approved either through the N.H. State Police or the FBI NICS System, whichever is appropriate based upon the type of firearm(s) purchased. Non-resident individuals from states without waiting periods may take possession of long guns on day of sale after completing the proper forms and successfully completing a NICS check. If you reside in a state with a waiting period, your items will need to be shipped to a dealer in your state. No modern handguns will be delivered to non-resident individuals. All modern handguns purchased by non-resident individuals will need to be delivered to or shipped to an FFL holder in the buyer’s home state. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges and all items must be paid for on day of sale. Bidders should be familiar with their local and state laws as Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be responsible for any parties purchasing items which may not be possessed in, or shipped to their state of residence. Some states have restrictions on transfers to C&R License holders, study your state and local laws before bidding. If you are the winning bidder of an item that you find does not comply with your state’s laws, you will still be required to pay your invoice, Amoskeag Auction Co. will then re-offer the arm on your behalf. FIREARM CLASSIFICATION: ANTIQUE - no paperwork required MODERN - Post-1898 firearm which requires an FFL or 4473 with corresponding successful background check in order to be delivered. C&R - for firearms that fall under the ATF Curio & Relics licensing and if purchased by a person with a “C&R License” no paperwork is required. NOTE: Items that meet the age requirements but have been altered from their original configuration may NOT be delivered on a C&R License. SAFETY WARNING Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. does not warranty the safety of any article it sells. Therefore, it is imperative that, before you use any firearm, purchased here or anywhere else, you have it examined by a qualified gunsmith to determine whether or not it is safe to use. ABSENTEE/TELEPHONE/ON-LINE BIDDING • As a service to our buyers, Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will accept absentee bids from bidders who cannot attend the sale. Bidders without prior credit approval are required to submit a 20% deposit prior to bids being accepted (credit cards may be used for absentee deposits). Absentee bids will be bid in a competitive manner and an absentee bidder needs only to outbid another buyer i.e. bidding will not be opened at the maximum bid unless that is the next competitive bid. Buyer is responsible for any and all shipping charges. Properly registered Amoskeag Online bidders may use this service free of additional charges as an alternative to telephone or absentee bidding, at their election. Online bidders should be aware that the sale proceeds at a very rapid pace and should plan their bidding strategies accordingly. • Amoskeag Auction Co., Inc. will not be held responsible for errors or omissions of any type that may occur during these services. • All absentee bids must be received by 8:00pm on the day prior to the auction. If you plan to attend the sale but will not be staying until the end and want to leave a bid on an item that will be sold after you leave, we must have those bids in by 8:00am on the morning of the sale. No bids will be accepted after that time. Please do not call the gallery once the auction has started (after 9:00am) as we will not be able to accept bids or make changes to bids. • Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. will also accept telephone bids on a limited basis. Telephone bidding is reserved for seriously interested bidders. In order to bid by telephone, the bidder must be willing to pay at least the low estimate of the item being bid on. NOTE: Phone bids MUST be arranged by 5:00pm ON THURSDAY prior to the sale. • All invoices are issued by end of business on the Tuesday following the sale and are due upon receipt. Invoices are to be paid either by cash or check, or credit card. All items not paid for within 20 business days from sale date shall be considered abandoned as well as any deposit that was made on those items and Amoskeag Auction Company, Inc. shall have sole discretion as to their disposal.