Oh, it has been a looooong time since I wrote a “Found” post here on The Gathered Home!
So here’s to reviving my “Found” series here on the blog! Perhaps it’s actually one of the reasons many of you followed my blog in the first place. Hopefully you’ll enjoy hearing about and possibly learning some new things about cool vintage stuff!
I almost had a heart attack when I spotted this 5-stack metal barrister bookcase on Craigslist. Seriously: heart pounding, short of breath, hands shaking as I texted the number in the listing that had already been up for an hour. They called in a vintage medical cabinet in the listing, but I can’t find any indication of a medical history (ha!) for this case. When I googled “metal barrister bookcase”, I found many similar examples made by Globe Wernicke circa the 1920’s. Regardless, I was absolutely thrilled to high-tail it over and pick it up!
The really cool thing about barrister bookcases (besides the awesome glass doors that slide up inside the case to open!) is that they break down into smaller, easily-movable pieces. This one actually breaks down into seven pieces – five sections with glass doors, one base, and one top piece! So I was able to pick it up, bring it home, and get it into the house all by myself while Bryan was out!
Okay, honest truth: it’s really freaking tall, so I was able to stack it four pieces high, but I did need to wait for him to get home to put the fifth piece on top! I felt pretty awesome though, for doing it “all” myself.
The bookcase looks so cool in our dining room that I really hate to see it go! I am normally never drawn to “chippy” style pieces, but I just adore all the character of this one – if I were keeping it, I would use a clear sealer over the chipping paint (and rust spots) and leave it exactly the way it is now.
I’m not sure what that little peeling paper tag means, but I do love its faded lavender color. I’m sure it has something to do with the building this case was used in, but I tried googling “Federal FWC” without conclusive results.
So that’s my most recent find!
So what do you think? Am I crazy for selling this (blame Bryan)? Do you love its chippy finish as much as I do?
oh i love it, too! and it really would look cool with dishes and glassware stored in it. just sayin.
Oh dear, Cassie – don't tempt me! Or brass animals??? 😉
Do you still have it? Where are you located?
Hi Kerry – sorry, this already sold! I’m in the Dallas Fort Worth area.
All the best,
– Brynne
I think I would have to keep it!!
It IS really hard to let it go…
I don't know how you're selling that bookcase, I wouldn't be able to part with it. More importantly: how in the world do you get so lucky with your Craigslist finds?!
Sometimes it's just good timing! Most of it is just because I don't share the 80% of the time I find something awesome and it falls through though 😉
I absolutely love this piece. I don't have a wall for it except maybe upstairs, but I can't focus on that hot mess of area right now!! Good luck selling it. It's beautiful and wonderful and honestly shouldn't be around long!!
Here's hoping!
It is so so awesome
Thank you Julia!
I seriously love these. I love the metal.
Me too! I think I like this chippy metal version even better than the ever popular wood versions!
What a unique piece. I am loving anything metal, tall, and chippy. Can't go wrong 🙂
So much chippy goodness! Love it so hard!
Did you sell this piece yet? I'm interested in purchasing it 🙂
Hi Dorothy – yes, this piece did sell. So sorry!
Hi,
Awesome piece. Would you mind telling me how much it was?
Thanks
Diane
Hi Diane! I found this one on Craigslist for around $100, I think!
love this piece would buy in an instant but l live in australia.love reading your blog,hope to show some of my finds soon.
Thank you Louise! I’d love to see what kind of cool things you’ve found!
I JUST saw that you lived in DFW (like me)! So bummed I didn’t know that when this piece came around…it’s so cute!