Lot 494: A mid-20th-century three-section wooden nine-drawer plan chest
A large mid-20th-century wooden plan chest, constructed in three stacked sections. The unit features a total of nine wide, shallow drawers designed for the horizontal storage of maps or large-format architectural plans. The chest is finished in a warm-toned wood veneer, showing the characteristic grain of a mahogany-type hardwood such as sapele. Each drawer is fitted with two silver-toned aluminium pull handles, each incorporating an integral label holder. Several drawers retain original paper labels indicating its previous use as a map repository. A white adhesive label on the top right drawer is hand-inscribed TODD’S. Other drawers feature typed or hand-printed labels including 1:25000, 1:2500, MISCELLANEOUS MAPS, and various geographical grid references including NY30, NY51, NY52, NY60, NY61, and NY62. The base is finished with a recessed plinth. The construction is typical of British institutional or office furniture from the 1950s to the 1970s.
Condition report:
The chest shows signs of heavy functional use consistent with a workshop or office environment. There is significant scuffing, finish loss, and impact damage along the base plinth. The wood veneer surfaces exhibit multiple scratches, small dings, and surface abrasions throughout. A prominent horizontal strip of pale adhesive residue or a surface scar is visible across the middle section of the chest. The metal handles show typical surface oxidisation and wear from use. The top surface is obscured by other items but shows minor wear at the visible edges.
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