An oak roll top desk adds value to your home office.  It also brings class and style because this type of desk was a symbol of affluence and intellectual integrity during the early 19th century.

Of course there are modern fabrications of oak roll top office desks.  While they are made from oak, they are less valuable than the antique roll top desk.  If you are a serious collector of antique oak furniture, then you have to prepare your budget for the vintage roll top desks.  These desks do not have cheap price tags.  They were made from original oak and premium materials.  These vintage desks also have historical values.  That is why they are very valuable and, naturally, very pricey.

To get the best vintage oak roll top desk, you have to carefully scrutinize its every element and individual part.  So, here are the 5 most important points you need to consider when buying antique roll top office desk.

1.  As much as possible avoid buying antique roll tops from the Internet.

That is because it is impossible to evaluate the product through pictures alone.  But if the merchant offers you to personally inspect the antique desk, then this is a good deal and see if you can agree on the price range.

2.  When evaluating an antique roll top, the first thing you need to do is to ascertain its overall condition.

Look for scratch marks, chips, defects, and non functional parts.  You can bargain for a lower price if an oak desk has lots of physical deficiencies.

3.  Determine if there are refurbishing, repainting, or fresh coat of varnish on the antique oak roll top desk.

These improvements diminish the actual value of the desk so you will have better leverage to reduce its listed price.

4. Check if the vintage oak roll top desk is rare.

If it is an original Cutler Roll Top, then the desk is very valuable.  This brand is the father of all roll tops around the world.  It is very rare now.

5.  Check the inside parts of the drawers and cabinets.

The side and bottom panel should be made from oak too.  If you see that plywood boards were used on the cabinets, then the vintage desk is less valuable.

If you do not have the confidence to personally evaluate a vintage oak roll top desk, it would be best to hire an antique appraiser to ensure that you can get the best deals from the dealers.