Hidden Compartments

[IndianaSmith]

I like watching Antiques Roadshow, and there's another show called "The Woodwrights Shop" (on Public Broadcast Station). The latter is a guy who does woodworking the "old fashioned" way, all by hand, and using vintage tools & methods.

I just realized the number of times I've watched both of these shows, and have seen them make mention (and shown) how alot of old pieces of furniture (desks & dressers especially) have built-in "secret compartments". The amazing thing is.....alot of them are so well hidden, that most would never be aware they were even there (lol, which is their purpose). Also, most have a "trick" getting to and opening them.

Might be a good idea to keep an idea on TV shows like these, or maybe even do some researching on the subject in the event you ever run across an old piece of furniture, or are asked by a friend, family member, or anyone knows or thinks you may be able to assist them in finding/recovering any "hidden treasures" or valuables. Those I've seen (on TV) were rather ingenious in their design as well as locations.

From what I understand, this was especially popular in CW era furniture.

Smitty

[portraitartist]

The new National Treasure movie showcases exactly what you're talking about here - supposedly the desks in the Oval office and in Queen E's office both have secret compartments that use numerical keys to open... so I suppose it is indeed possible...

[EBCIII]

Hey Smitty that is a great idea. The Woodwright's shop series is filmed about 30-40 miles from here. I have seen those desks and never thought of this before. Thanks for that, Beale.

[PAPPY]

How to find secret drawers from antique furniture

[journeyoftheanimals]

I have heard 2 stories. Not sure how true the first one is but I know the second one is true.

Someone had bought some sort of old desk from a garage sale or something. I believe it was only after a short time after, the person had pulled one of the drawers all the way out. I do not know if they pulled it all the way out by mistake or on purpose. But taped to the bottom of the drawer was several thousands of dollars.

Now the 2nd one I know is true but I can not place quite where I heard from since it has been many years since I heard it. Someone was at an estate sale and looked at a small metal filing box of some kind. They flipped through some of the folders and papers and they immediately bought the item and headed home. Why, you ask? Could be the couple thousand dollars he say inside the folders.


Garage sales and estate sales can be wonderful treasure places especially if you know your jewelery.

[portraitartist]

I'd have a hard time not just taking a sledge to it!

[pris]

I used to looooove watching the woodwright shop, but my pbs doesn't show it anymore... That guy rocks! I think he might even be able to kick the yankee workshop's Norm Abrahm's booty.

[SandSkimmer]

I should be so lucky to find something like that...

jT

[Nighthunter]

I know a guy who bought an old piece of furniture and found an old gold coin wedged in between one of the cracks in the drawer. True story..I saw it!