Antique 1920s Four Tier Globe Wernicke Glass Front Stacking Bookcase

Now a much sought-after collectable coveted by booklovers, Globe Wernicke Company Ltd of London made stacking, glass front bookcases, designed for barristers, prestigious businesses, institutions and private libraries. It’s a name synonymous with fine quality and superb craftmanship. This freestanding, modular bookcase is in very good order. It’s comprised of six component pieces – the top, four bookcases in two different heights and the base / legs. Globe Wernickes are characterised by their retracting glass doors which, with a clever, patented mechanism, lift and slide back into position above the books. We love that this is in a golden oak, rather than the usual, rather austere dark mahogany. It makes it more versatile for a modern interior, less imposing than some of their pieces.

SKU: W770

Description

This is an original, vintage piece that is ‘sold as seen’. It is in very good, used condition. We have given the bookcase a thorough check and clean inside and out but otherwise the finish is all original and in great order. There are six component parts in total – the top section, four bookcases in two different heights (three taller in height and one small) and the base / legs section. They simply slot on top of one and another with no tools required. It is a freestanding piece. The glass doors of the bookcases lift up and slide back with Globe Wernicke’s patented mechanism. They lift and move with ease although we would advise this is done with due care and a gentle touch. The bookcase interiors are clean but with some superficial marks and scuffs from use as shown in our photos. As you would expect with an antique item such as this, there are light signs of wear here and there on the exterior surfaces too. These are minimal though and do not affect the appeal of the piece in any way – in fact they rather add to it in our view. When stacked the bookcase is solid and stable, slotting into place easily. There are no repairs that we can see. There are some minor signs of woodworm on one of two of the back panels but this is historic and of no concern. The Globe Wernicke maker’s stamp is can be seen on the inside back of one of the bookcases.

Dimensions
H: 147cm / W: 87cm / D: 29cm / Internal Max Book Height of Taller Sections: 25cm / Internal Max Book Height of Smaller Section: 20.5cm