Unusual Automatic File Cabinet

17 years ago

I have an file cabinet that I inherited from my grandfather about 10 years ago. It was made by the Automatic File & Index Company in Green Bay, WI. It's a wood veneer, but is very solidly built. It likely is from the 1940s.

The unique part is that the top lifts open rather than pulls out. I haven't seen a file cabinet like this before.

No one else in my family wants this, and I no longer have room for it. Any idea if this is at all valuable? I can't find any other file cabinets from this manufacturer to compare.

Thanks for any info!!

Featured Answer

charles_freeborn

5 years ago

In the small world category, I am in the custom furniture business, but unfortunately didn't have much chance to learn about the AF&I company from my grandfather before he died.. He was a bit of a ... pill... I'm piecing together the history of the company from records in the WI historical society and from the few remaining family records. I have also recently designed a piece of contemporary furniture that uses a very similar mechanism as the "drop front drawer" feature that was designed and patented by my great grand father. The one "vintage" piece I do own is this one:

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Comments (9)

lindac
17 years ago
I would guess someone will pay you at least $150 for it....it's neat!
What does that bottom handle do?
Linda C
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bluemonster
Original Author
17 years ago
In the middle, there's a small drawer with a pull handle. The bottom handle pulls out another file drawer.
There's a key in the lock on the top right side, and you need to turn it to open the file drawers.
Oh, and it's also on wheels! Right now it's in my hallway.
When it's closed, people think it's an old Victrola player because of the way the top lid lifts up.
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lindac
17 years ago
Maybe $250?...Sounds neat...I would find a place for it....you can never ever again have your grandfather's file cabinet. Have you children that may want it some day?
Linda C
charles_freeborn
5 years ago
Long gone by now - but...

The Automatic File and Index company was founded by my great-grandfather Frederic Straubel. The airport in Green Bay is named after one of his kin. My grandfather took over the company and then sold it and all the patents to General Fireproofing in Youngstown OH during the depression. Your cabinet would have been made pre- 1930. GF was later swallowed by SteelCase, still very much in business today.
nancy_in_venice_ca
5 years ago
What a surprise seeing a photo of our file cabinet.

We bought it years ago at a flea market at the Ventura County Fairgrounds (California).

Maybe we paid about $100 -- I really can't remember.
Jerry Jobbins
3 years ago
Mom and dad passed away found this wooden file cabinet the automatic file and index Company Green Bay Wisconsin is all it says on the fold-out drawer when you lift the top open finish it is not the best but still in good shape this one is not on rollers though maybe they were removed
Mystic Man57
3 years ago
I just pick up one at a local flea market (not this one)I paid $200 for mine and its in much better condition then this one that recently sold for $975. Early 1920s...
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HU-507689691
last month
@charles_freeborn

Our grandfather E. Waldo worked for Herman and Clarence Strable at AFI when he was just 17 years old. He took over the build of a Library Table that was for the Capitol building in DC. He signed it up underneath. It was about 4' wide by 10' long with black ebony strip & inlays that were diamond shaped pieces of wood. I wish I could see it. We believe it is long gone from the Capitol building. I am not sure how long our grandfather worked there, but I can tell you he was a "Master Carpenter" who went on to build churches and very fine pieces of furniture. I would love to have a file cabinet made by him if anyone has one.
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