ars longa * 04-033. Unknown 515 Star Dust kneehole desk.

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04-033. Unknown
515 Star Dust kneehole desk
~~Unknown manufacturer~~ National Mount Airy, distributed by Sears
USA, c. 1950
Birch
Signed with manufacturer's marks

For months now I've been searching out a desk for my living room. My apartment is small, however, and most contemporary pieces of furniture are far too large to work in my space. For that reason, among other aesthetic considerations, I made the decision to look for a Modernmates desk by Conant Ball. I twice came close to making an online purchase, but my instinct (and pocket book) told me to wait.

I'm glad I did. Attributed to Russel Wright by Ann Kerr in the third edition of her Collector's Encyclopedia of Russel Wright, the 515 Star Dust line has many attributes in common with Wright's American Modern designs. I personally have doubts about the Wright attribution, but purchased the desk anyway since it matches the bedroom set I picked up earlier this spring. It also didn't hurt that instead of paying the $500.00 I originally intended for that online sale, it cost a mere $1.99. Some glue and a bit of elbow grease will make this piece very presentable and functional for my everyday living.

Found on June 26, 2004 in Maplewood, MN.

Ethan Rollerson said: As a collector of anything Russel Wright, I can assure that the kneehole desk was designed by Wright, manufactured by Conant Ball and sold at Sears for $28.75. I have this desk in my collection.
8.23.07

Scott said: Thank you for your input, Ethan. In the years since I found this desk I've studied Wright's furniture designs extensively. And as such, I have to strongly disagree with your statements. The Star Dust line of furniture was absolutely not produced by Conant Ball or designed by Russel Wright. This is a popular misconception, since the Star Dust line bears a close resemblance to Russel Wright's American Modern line of furniture, which was made by Conant Ball. Research materials uncovered in mid-2002 have shown that Star Dust was produced out of a company in North Carolina called National Mount Airy. Russel Wright was never documented as working for such a company. Since we do not have documentation stating the name of the Star Dust designer, there could possibly be an ever-so-slight possibility that wright may have been involved. This I hightly doubt. If you have documentation contradictory to what I have found, I'd love to see it.
8.23.07WEBSITE

Michelle and Darren said: My father and uncle grew up with a tall dresser that looks just like this, and my husband uses it now. Funny thing is that my husband and I just found an exact tall dresser, a long dresser, plus a night stand on a local craigslist in Florida. Your desk is very cool! Have you seen anything else like this? We'd love more information since we could never figure out what 515 Star Dust meant or where it was from. The people we bought it from got it from an estate sale and said possibly Sears... Thank you, Michelle July 20,2008
7.20.08

Scott said: There were lots of pieces available: a couple types of desks, several sizes of dressers and bedframes, nightstands, mirrors, etc. I've subsequently sold the desk in question, but we still use our Star Dust bedroom set. It was in fact distributed through Sears, so the people you purchased yours from were correct. Thanks!
7.20.08WEBSITE

kristina said: I have this piece and others, this pic is actually a vaniety, There is a mirror that attaches to the back. I also have the tall boy dresser and two night stands. We used to have the bench that went with the vaniety, but it was a bit used when we aquired it. the mirror that is attached to the vaniety is stamped Carolina 1946 on the back.
8.29.08

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