Antique 1904 Patent Wood Document Filing Cabinet

Description : An early 20th-century wood document and filing cabinet featuring a single hinged door and a series of approximately eight removable or tilting wooden document trays with semicircular finger openings. The dark reddish-brown exterior has decorative molded trim, carved corner details, shaped feet, and metal hardware. A label inside the door reads “PATENTED APR. 12th, 1904,” providing an important period reference. The cabinet shows substantial authentic wear, including scratches, finish loss, edge wear, dust, and marks from long-term use. Its unusual internal filing system makes it an appealing piece for office storage, architectural display, restoration, or adaptive reuse.

Era
Early 20th century, circa 1904–1915.

Style
Traditional Edwardian-era office furniture with decorative molded trim and restrained carved details.

Technique
Wood cabinet construction with fitted internal rails, removable or tilting document trays, hinged door, shaped legs, applied molding, and stained finish.

Tools Used
Period woodworking saws, planes, chisels, molding tools, drills, clamps, carving tools, sanding tools, and finishing brushes.

History
The interior label documents an April 12, 1904 patent date, placing the cabinet's filing mechanism in the early era of specialized office-storage systems. A U.S. patent for a display-cabinet was also issued on that date, but the available evidence does not establish that patent as the one represented by this cabinet's label.

Manufacturer / Maker
Maker: Unknown. No clearly legible manufacturer's name is visible in the supplied photographs.

Measurements
19 ½" W x 37 ½" T x 15" D

Suggested Weight
Approximately 35–45 lbs.

Suggested Shipping Package Dimension
Approximately 24" W x 42" T x 20" D.

Music
Early American ragtime, reflecting the period when this patented filing system was introduced.

Item Number : P17227

Category : Storage Cabinets

Brand : Unknown