Desk top leather

[CBWW]

I need a source for some leather with gold leaf/embossing for a partners desk that I am making for a client.  Any contacts?  I have done an internet search under antique leather and found some contacts but am hesitant with no references.  I am in New England.

[Mark Arnold]

I've used Van Dyke's (http://www.vandykes.com/category/desk-leather). As you can see, there is quite a difference in price between their "house" hide which cannot be embossed and their custom leathers. Several years ago when I needed some leather, I ran across the name of an outfit in Ontario who sent me a swatch packet. Unfortunately, I can't recall the name and I can't find the samples, but I do believe that they were importers of Muirhead leather (http://www.muirheadusdirect.com/). They were not easy to get ahold of for a quote, so I ordered from Van Dyke's. As it turns out, Van Dyke's was just the middle man. They sent my patterns (required on odd shapes) elsewhere (Ontario?) to have the leather cut and embossed. It was expensive, but beautiful. I installed it with a synthetic wallpaper paste, following the directions found here http://antiquerestorers.com/LEATHERinstall.htm.

Have fun!

[John Walkowiak]

Hello,
Several years ago I bought an embosed piece of leather for a walnut library table from Antique Restorer's. He was very patient and he had a large selection of leathers and patterns to choose from. I was able to speak with him on the phone to clarify what he had available. I also used the wall paper paste as he advised and it worked beautifully. The gold was a bit to bright for the table so I padded on several coats of garnet shellac until it looked the way I wanted it to. I then went over the shellac with 0000 steel wool to knock the gloss down. He was great to work with, good luck with yours. Here is his web site: http://antiquerestorers.com/index4.htm
John

[Mark Bortner]

I have a hunch the place you're trying to find is dctleathers.com. Near as I can tell they supply the other places such as Van Dykes. I know of a place to find the brass embossing wheels for the electric irons to do it yourself but for a one time thing it's probabaly not worth it. 

[kwheiser]

I ,to have had excellent service and advice from the fellow from Jupiter Florida ----

Desk Leathers
10396  150th  CT  N
Jupiter, FL 33478

561-615-0622

Call him, He will answer any question you have.
Ken

[tischler]

I went to the IWF in Atlanta this year and talked with representatives from DCT Holdings Corp. They supply leather to furnituremakers and upholsterers, they seemed knowledgable and non-pushy, you might want to look them up.