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That's No Piano, Man

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By JAY MOORE

Tribune correspondent

Published: December 14, 2008

What can you tell me about my desk? It is a small piece with a fold-over lid and is only marked with numbers. It is painted. Value?

G.M.

It is a spinet desk manufactured during the late 1920s. It probably was made in a major furniture center such as Grand Rapids, Mich. Many factories produced similar desks. The impressed numbers do not identify the maker.

Spinet desks' designs were supposedly based upon spinet pianos, small pianos that were very popular in England in the 17th century. It is a misnomer since true spinet pianos, a harpsichord instrument, look like miniature grand pianos.

These inexpensive, manufactured desks were very popular during the 1920s and '30s. They usually are made of a mix of plywood and solids. Because it does not have the original finish, it would retail for about $50.

I enclosed a photo of one piece from a set of dishes I inherited from my mother. There are many pieces. They are marked "Manhattan, semi porcelain, Henry Alcooks sic & Co., England." I would like to know the history.

M.P.

Brandon

The Henry Alcock pottery started up in 1861 in Cobridge, England. The firm mostly produced ironstone and porcelain. Most of Alcock's products were exported to the United States. The original company went out of business in 1935.

The "Manhattan" pattern obviously was made for the American market. It was manufactured between 1890 and 1910. Large sets of transfer-printed ironstone like this are rare. This small pitcher would retail for about $20.

Have a question about antiques? E-mail a complete description with a clear, high-resolution digital image in .jpg format to baylife@tampatrib.com. Include a name, address and daytime phone number. Regular mail can be sent with clear photographs (not compu

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