Vertical Filing Cabinet, Office File Cabinet, 4-Drawer Lateral or Vertical File Cabinet
Storage, Office Furniture (Subcategory: Filing Cabinet) · Mid-Century Modern to Contemporary Industrial (circa mid-to-late 20th century) · Generic commercial office furniture manufacturer (such as Hon, Steelcase, or Art Metal), typical of standard corporate office supply lines
Type
Storage, Office Furniture (Subcategory: Filing Cabinet)
Style Period
Mid-Century Modern to Contemporary Industrial (circa mid-to-late 20th century)
Material
Heavy-gauge sheet steel, welded metal construction, chrome-plated or brushed aluminum hardware handles, painted enamel finish
Age Estimate
Late 20th century, circa 1970s-1990s based on the handle style, drawer pull label frames, and overall welded box construction
Dimensions
Estimated height: 52 inches, Width: 15 inches, Depth: 28 inches. Standard commercial-grade 4-drawer vertical file cabinet dimensions.
Origin
Likely manufactured in the United States or a major industrial market for commercial office environments
Designer/Maker
Generic commercial office furniture manufacturer (such as Hon, Steelcase, or Art Metal), typical of standard corporate office supply lines
Value Estimate
Used/Secondary Market Value: $50 to $150 USD, depending on local demand, brand name (e.g., Steelcase vs. generic), and cosmetic condition
Description
A utilitarian four-drawer vertical filing cabinet finished in black enamel, designed for commercial office document storage. The piece features a tall, narrow profile with four deep stacking drawers, each equipped with a horizontal metal pull handle and a rectangular integrated card holder for labeling contents. Showing signs of genuine workplace patina with surface scratches and wear, this heavy-duty steel cabinet exemplifies functional, durable office design meant to withstand decades of heavy daily use.
Key Features
Four stacked vertical drawers, heavy-gauge steel construction, integrated label holders above each handle, horizontal metal pulls, tall and narrow space-saving footprint
Color & Finish
Matte or semi-gloss black enamel paint finish with visible scuffs, scratches, and wear revealing the underlying dark metallic surface; industrial factory-applied baked-on enamel coating
Construction Method
Factory machine-made, spot-welded steel body with roller-bearing drawer suspension channels for smooth extension
Joinery & Craftsmanship
Industrial spot welding, folded sheet metal edges, and precision mechanical assembly typical of commercial office furniture manufacturers
Wood Grain & Species
None applicable; constructed entirely of painted sheet metal
Surface Treatment
Industrial factory-applied baked enamel coating showing authentic wear, surface scratching, and minor scuffs from workplace use
Upholstery Details
None applicable as this is an all-metal office storage piece
Hardware & Fittings
Brushed metal or chrome-plated horizontal bar pulls with integrated label holders (card slots) on each of the four drawers; standard mechanical drawer latches
Origin & Provenance
Likely manufactured in the United States or a major industrial market for commercial office environments
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition. Structurally sound and fully functional with smooth drawer operation, but exhibits noticeable cosmetic wear including surface scratches, scuffs, and paint loss consistent with active office use
Interesting Facts
Vertical filing cabinets revolutionized modern office productivity in the early 20th century by replacing cumbersome horizontal flat files and drastically reducing the floor space required to store paper records
Cultural Significance
Represents the standard backbone of white-collar bureaucratic administration and corporate office environments throughout the 20th century, symbolizing organization, efficiency, and administrative labor
Similar Pieces
Lateral filing cabinets (wider format), fireproof safes, or metal storage lockers. Distinguished primarily by its tall, narrow vertical orientation and four-drawer configuration
Care & Maintenance
Clean with a damp microfiber cloth and mild soap; avoid abrasive scouring pads that could further damage the enamel finish. Keep moving drawer slides lubricated with light machine oil or silicone spray
Value Estimate
Used/Secondary Market Value: $50 to $150 USD, depending on local demand, brand name (e.g., Steelcase vs. generic), and cosmetic condition
Sustainability Notes
Extremely high durability and longevity; constructed from infinitely recyclable steel, making vintage and second-hand metal office furniture an eco-friendly choice through reuse