A Rare American Classical Carved Mahogany Secretary Bookcase, after 1830, by Rufus Pierce, New York, bears stenciled label "R.Pierce/Furniture/Ware House/218 Broadway/New York"; upper case with molded cornice, glazed doors enclosing burled walnut shelves and fitted interior, flanked by columns ; lower case with baize-lined writing surface, two short over two long drawers flanked by columns, suppressed ball feet, casters, height 87 1/2 in., width 45 1/2 in., depth 22 1/4 in Note: Rufus Pierce had sole propietorship of a furniture warehouse at 17 Market Street in Boston from 1828-1829 before partnering with Nathaniel Messer from 1829-1830. In 1830 the partnership failed and they were forced to sell the Market Street Warehouse; Pierce relocated to New York at 218 Broadway. Reference: Talbott, Page. "Boston Empire Furniture", The Magazine Antiques (May 1976), p.1008