American, Massachusetts, Federal inlaid two-piece bookcase with cupboard base, mahogany, with white pine secondary. Faint signature to the underside of one top shelf, "Wm. B. Dodge" for Captain William Dodge (1731-1810), a joiner and cabinetmaker in Beverly, Essex County, Massachusetts. Top bookcase section has pediment with central inlaid plinth topped with ball shaped pediment surmounted by a brass eagle, flanked by shorter plinths with ball finials at each side, above a finely veneered and inlaid frieze, over two glazed doors with diamond shaped mullions and oval brass escutcheons, enclosing three adjustable shelves on each side. Base cabinet section having two doors with applied molding enclosing one interior adjustable shelf, molded base, and front ogee bracket feet. Top measures 58 1/2" H x 43 3/8" W x 12 1/4" D. Base measures: 32 1/2" H x 47 1/2" w x 11 3/4" D. 91" total H. Circa 1800. Note: This piece was sold to John McWhorter in the 1990s by descendants of the Massachusetts sea captain, merchant and banker Eleazer Johnson (1773-1847). In 1809/1810, Johnson purchased a home and several pieces of furniture at 203 High Street, Newburyport, from heirs of the Tracy family. The house, built by Judge John Lowell in 1774, is known as the Lowell-Tracey-Johnson house and still stands. Mr. McWhorter detailed his acquisition of this bookcase and his ensuing research in a 1994 article in The Maine Antiques Digest. A copy of the article is available on request.

PROVENANCE: The Tina McWhorter Trust; from the collection of John and Tina McWhorter, Memphis, Tennessee.

CONDITION: Overall very good condition. Frieze and pediment with scattered wear and some veneer lifting. Base doors with vertical wood shrinkage. Older refinish. One back left foot glue block replaced. One lower glass pane to left upper section door with crack.