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Two-Door Bookcase, #717, C1910; 56"h x 48"w x 13"d.
Photo courtesy of California Historical Design.
Crafted starting in 1902 until the manufacturer faced financial challenges, this particular design gained popularity for its inherent simplicity. Initially the bookcase featured plain, iron escutcheons painted black and adorned with pyramidal tacks. Some smaller bookcases dating from 1902-3 boasted oval pulls, signaling an earlier period of production. Subsequent versions showcased either copper or iron-painted V pulls like those featured above. Collectors highly covet pieces with these original plain escutcheons, indicative of earlier production.
The original wavy glass enhances the overall value of the furniture, offering aesthetically pleasing distortion. Extremely rare examples have been found featuring green or amber glass. Certain models, such as the double door 54 and 36-inch variants, are considered more proportionally appealing due to the narrower windows, creating an illusion of increased verticality.
The woodwork of these bookcases features exposed through tenons on both the top and bottom sides. Occasionally, the bookcases included key tenons, these cases almost always have doors crafted from quarter-sawn wood. The process to create quarter-sawn wood involves cutting a cylindrical log into quarters and then each quarter into a herringbone pattern. Luxurious quarter-sawn oak showcases distinctive ray flakes in unpredictable patterns, with tight rays and ripples but no rings. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, quarter-sawn oak yields a markedly stronger and more stable product, imparting resistance to warping.
Price Range: $1,800 - $7,500
Early Miter Mullion Bookcase, #525, 1904-5; 58"h x 54"w x 14"d.
Photo courtesy of Rago Arts & Auction Center.
Crafted under the design direction of Harvey Ellis, confirmed through original sketches and the distinctive arch characteristic to his work, these bookcases were produced for a brief period from 1903 to 1905. Among them, the 54” bookcase, featured above, is considered less desirable due to the wideness of the glass panes, resulting in a diminished sense of verticality.
Such cases rarely show up on the market with hardware, and the windows typically exhibit a configuration of four square leaded glass panels, a feature predominantly found in earlier designs. Notably, there exists a rare variation of the case incorporating fruit wood inlay beside the top windows, omitting leaded glass. Inlay on Stickley furniture, particularly on large forms, is exceptionally scarce, often made to order with few known examples.
Price Range: $3,000 - $15,000
Cathedral Bookcase, #510, 1904-5; 32.5"h x 14.5"w x 53"d.
Photo courtesy of Treadway Toomey Auctions.
Crafted under the design expertise of Wilkenson, this distinctive piece features his characteristic cathedral window and reverse corbels, exemplifying his unique design elements. Remarkably rare, with only three or four known examples of each size, this case was available in three sizes, including a double door with proportions similar to the one depicted above, as well as a double door matching the size of a typical triple door at 75” long.
All variations of this design are highly sought after, given their extreme rarity and desirability. Notably, the incorporation of early design elements enhances the overall appeal of these bookcases. The subtle curvature of the feet, echoing the windows, serves a dual purpose—mimicking the architectural details and mitigating the downward direction created by the reverse corbels. Additionally, the beveled edge at the top introduces an architectural element reminiscent of a capstone on a building, bringing the viewer's attention upwards. Early designs, such as this one, often exhibit a closer connection to the floor. The meticulous attention to these design details not only contributes to the rarity and desirability of the piece but also underscores Stickely's clever use of architecture to contribute to their designs' aesthetic significance.
As very young, newly married collectors Robin and I significantly overpaid for an exceptionally rare Onondaga Morris chair as a wedding present for ourselves. Besides the high price, the chair had dog bites in the arms, it was horrible. There was nothing redeeming with the exception that it was rare and highly sought after by L&JG Stickley collectors. Then at a Rago auction in NYC we saw an example of the cathedral bookcase, we no longer had any money to purchase after our chair debacle and were the underbidders. A few months later we found out that Jerry Cohen purchased the bookcase and was selling it out of his shop in Putnam Connecticut. We made a deal to trade the chair, a #74 book rack, and some cash for the bookcase of our dreams.
Price Range: $10,000 - $50,000
Four Door Bookcase, 1902; 69¾"h x 59½"w x 13¾"d.
Photo courtesy of Sotheby's. Now in the Michael Lehr & Robin Kelsey collection.
It is believed that Lamont Warner may have been the designer of this exceptional bookcase. Regarded as the quintessential Stickley design, it seamlessly integrates strap hinge cupboard doors with a gallery on top, showcasing a post and beam construction that foreshadows elements found in many slightly later pieces.
The bookcase's design places a strong emphasis on functionality, a core value for Stickley. The inclusion of storage, a gallery, and cabinets enhances its practicality. Consistent with Stickley's design philosophy, the narrower windows impart a characteristic sense of height and grandeur to an otherwise grounded structure.
Examining the hardware, all six known examples of this case feature circular copper pulls and strap hinges secured with pyramidal screws. This consistent detailing adds a level of craftsmanship and cohesiveness to the overall design, further contributing to the rarity and significance of this particular Stickley piece.
Price Range: $60,000 - $300,000