{"product_id":"vintage-one-of-a-kind-200-drawer-library-card-catalog-cabinet-from-san-diego-county-library-refinished","title":"Vintage One-of-a-Kind 200-Drawer Library Card Catalog Cabinet from San Diego County Library - Refinished","description":"\u003cp\u003e**FREE SHIPPING**\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eVintage One-of-a-Kind 200-Drawer Library Card Catalog Cabinet from San Diego County Library - Refinished - Solid Wood Industrial Architectural Cabinet\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eSan Diego County Library Provenance | Fully Refinished | Custom Steel Base\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis extraordinary pair of vintage card catalog cabinets is a true collector’s piece—meticulously restored over the course of 10 months, with several hundred hours dedicated to preserving and elevating its original character. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis card catalog is not simply furniture—it’s a preserved piece of American library history, reimagined through meticulous craftsmanship. The blend of historical authenticity, material variation, and modern usability makes it equally suited for a luxury residence, boutique hotel, design studio, or curated retail space.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOverall Measurements: \u003cbr\u003e130 1\/8” long \u003cbr\u003e18 3\/4” deep (including drawer pulls)\u003cbr\u003e54 3\/8” tall\u003cbr\u003eSliding trays are at 32” - the perfect height for resting a glass of wine or a martini.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** Provenance \u0026amp; History ** \u003cbr\u003eThese cabinets trace back to the San Diego County Library, originally opened in 1954. Archival photographs from the library’s grand opening - and subsequent years - confirm these exact units, identifiable by their rare combination of drawer styles and hardware configurations.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAfter their time in the library, the cabinets were preserved and repurposed within a San Diego art school before undergoing this full restoration.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** Restoration Process ** \u003cbr\u003eEvery surface of the cabinets was taken down to bare wood - including the exterior frame, interior drawer openings, and all 200 drawers. This was not a surface refinish, but a comprehensive, museum-level restoration:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e+ All wood components sanded to raw material\u003cbr\u003e+ Drawer fronts and exteriors fully refinished\u003cbr\u003e+ 200 original drawer pulls stripped to bare metal and professionally powder coated\u003cbr\u003e+ Protective finishes applied using premium, durable materials:\u003cbr\u003e   - Water-based polyurethane on all visible wood fronts\u003cbr\u003e   - Osmo Polyx Oil hard wax oil applied to drawer exteriors for long-term durability\u003cbr\u003e   - Distinctive Drawer Composition\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOne of the most compelling features of this piece is its intentional preservation of variation across all 200 drawers:\u003cbr\u003e~150 solid wood drawers (maple, beech, etc.) with solid maple fronts\u003cbr\u003e~50 drawers with solid oak fronts and plastic bodies\u003cbr\u003eRather than homogenize the finish, the restoration embraces the natural diversity of wood tones, grains, and textures - creating a visually rich, one-of-a-kind composition.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eHardware variation (historically accurate):\u003cbr\u003e~150 pulls mounted with six front-facing screws\u003cbr\u003e~50 pulls mounted with four rear-secured fasteners\u003cbr\u003eFunctional Upgrades\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOriginally designed for index cards, each drawer has been thoughtfully modified for modern use:\u003cbr\u003e+ Original follower blocks removed for full storage capacity\u003cbr\u003e+ Drawer bases rebuilt using pre-finished ¼” birch plywood\u003cbr\u003e+ Smooth, clean interiors ready for practical storage\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eInterior Dimensions:\u003cbr\u003eWood Drawers (~150):\u003cbr\u003eWidth: ~5 1\/16”\u003cbr\u003eDepth: 15”–15 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eSide Height: 1 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003eTotal Capacity Height: ~3 1\/4”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOak\/Plastic Drawers (~50):\u003cbr\u003eWidth: ~5 1\/16”\u003cbr\u003eDepth: ~15 1\/4”\u003cbr\u003eSide Height: 1 5\/16”\u003cbr\u003eTotal Capacity Height: ~3 1\/8”\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e** Design Features ** \u003cbr\u003e+ End panels removed to expose the beautiful side profiles of 20 drawers per cabinet\u003cbr\u003e+ A striking visual element that highlights the craftsmanship and drawer construction\u003cbr\u003e+ Ideal as a statement piece for residential, retail, or hospitality environments\u003cbr\u003e+ Base \u0026amp; Installation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe cabinets are mounted on a custom-fabricated steel frame, designed for both stability and visual contrast.\u003cbr\u003e+ Total frame length: 130 1\/2”\u003cbr\u003e+ Each cabinet: 65” long\u003cbr\u003e+ Rear safety tabs prevent shifting; optional bolting for permanent installation\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransport Notes:\u003cbr\u003eCabinets can be moved individually (drawers removed)\u003cbr\u003eLightweight enough for two people to reposition\u003cbr\u003eBuyer must confirm fit through doorways, hallways, and access points prior to purchase - especially the base. \u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eI am happy to go over it with you via FaceTime before purchase.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e**FREE SHIPPING** USA shipping only. Does not apply to Hawaii and Alaska. Florida and NYC area has restrictions. We will ship to Florida, New York City and surrounding boroughs (Brooklyn, Bronx, Manhattan, Staten Island, Queens and Hoboken) for a fee, potentially. The logistics of delivery to the City, Unions and HOAs make it impossible to deliver for free. Please contact me for rates to these specific areas. You will need to contact and coordinate delivery with your building's approved movers. Florida deliveries may qualify for free shipping, but may take longer than usual due to the transport schedule.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eYou are also welcome to pick up or arrange your own delivery in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho for a discount. All sales are final. No refunds, returns or cancellations. Items are sold as is with no warranty. Depending on size, location and availability, shipping may be delivered via LTL semi truck, Uship, truck, trailer or van. They will deliver to your doorstep, loading dock, garage, or curbside - depending on delivery method and packaging. If shipped via LTL, the item will be securely packaged in a crate or on a pallet. Please take all necessary measurements prior to ordering to ensure the items will fit into your access points, door, elevator, stairwell, etc.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMy usual go-to transport company delivers furniture with Sprinter vans (sometimes with trailers) and typically only has one person to deliver, so they will need an extra set of hands to help unload from the van. I will remind you of this once purchased - along with their contact information as tracking information. They are not equipped to offer a tracking number. Once it's in the hands of the delivery company, I do not have any control over the equipment used, age, gender, race or ability of the drivers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWe do not offer white glove delivery inside the home in the free shipping option - please contact us prior to purchase for additional labor rates and fees. Please also contact us prior to ordering if there are any sort of logistical shipping restrictions - eg. height and weight limits, restricted access, truck size limitations, etc. These restrictions can result in additional fees and may affect the ability to deliver. ****\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Dwell Dekor","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53925103272236,"sku":null,"price":24995.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0570\/3745\/5558\/files\/Vintage_Library-card-catalog-restored-refinished-statement-furniture-piece-wow-factor-drawer-wall-unit-storage-collector-collectible-industrial-home-decor-dark-wood-apothecary-cabinet.png?v=1787526952","url":"https:\/\/dwelldekor.com\/products\/vintage-one-of-a-kind-200-drawer-library-card-catalog-cabinet-from-san-diego-county-library-refinished","provider":"Dwell Dekor","version":"1.0","type":"link"}