DESCRIPTION: This is a rare American handmade store mercantile counter wooden slant front desk from New England circa early 1800s. By the early 1800’s, country and general stores could be found in every small town in New England. Specialty, mercantile, and millinery stores were found in larger cities. The first patent for the cash register was not until 1883. It is difficult to imagine any type of store without a cash register. Yet before 1879, merchants had no such equipment. Few business owners actually knew if they were operating at a profit or a loss. The use of a ledger and a money box was of great importance to the business owner. Ledgers and money boxes were kept under the store counter or inside a desk that sat upon the store counter. The country store counter desk is made of walnut and cherry woods. The country store counter desk has a backboard shelf and a hinged slant front top with breadboard edges. The backboard shelf would have held a bottle of ink and perhaps a candle. The slant front top would have served as a writing surface. The Metal Hinges and a large eyelet brass latch on the front for locking are original to the desk. Country store counter desks would have been used to store threads, documents, and other valuables. The country store counter desk sits upon four hand turned round and square legs (see photos). MEASUREMENTS: 20 inches high, 24 inches wide, and 18 inches deep.

The country store counter desk is in excellent condition with an age appropriate patina.