Antique American Arts & Crafts Mission Oak Gustav Stickley Postcard Desk 1905
All original antique American Gustav Stickley quarter-sawn oak postcard desk, circa 1902. This authentic early Mission desk was designed by Gustav Stickley ( 1858-1942), the visionary pioneering designer and manufacturer who spearheaded the American Arts & Crafts movement. This is the Gustav Stickley Postcard Desk (Model #720), hand-crafted in Eastwood, New York, during the peak of the Arts & Crafts movement (circa 1902–1915), and displays classic Craftsman style, utility, construction, and materials. Made from solid quarter-sawn white oak with a rich, dark fumed finish. To the back is a raised "paymaster" style gallery hutch designed for sorting letters, postcards, and bills. It includes multiple vertical slots, horizontal slots, and two small central utility drawers. The base desk with two side-by-side drawers; featuring authentic hand-hammered copper pull hardware, raised on straight, clean square legs anchored to a gently arched lower front apron. Signed with branded mark, having two original paper maker's labels: "from the Craftsman Workshops of Gustav Stickley", one under the desk and a second under the right side drawer. The labels with the motto; "Als ik kan", a Flemish phrase meaning "To the best of my ability", which Stickley adopted from the legendary painter Jan van Eyck. Excellent original finish, and fine original condition, this highly desirable original Mission desk is ready to grace your home or office.