Limbert Style #357 Bookcase

Traditional construction techniques make this mediumsized bookcase a real gem.

- Willie Sandry

PROJECT #2312_ 
Skill Level: 
Intermediate 
Time: 4 Days 
Cost: $500

Original Limbert case pieces are really something to behold. Black and white catalog pictures rarely do them justice, but if you get the chance to see one in person, you instantly understand why people are drawn to them. I first realized this when bidding on a small Charles P. Limbert bookcase at an auction in Oregon. The fit and finish of his surviving cabinet work is truly remarkable. Unfortunately, I lost my bid on the antique, but I have owned two double-door Limbert # 358 cases since then. The project at hand is the #357 single-door version and is a wonderful introduction to building glass door bookcases.

1 Star by making all the solid panels for this project, which include top and side panels, and four shelves. Trim the side panels to the size noted on page 37.

The form of this bookcase is perhaps more feminine that other square Limbert cabinets due to the long, tapered legs and decorative corner cutouts. Many woodworkers shy away from glass door bookcase projects, fearing the perceived complexity. I've built several glass door cases of varying complexity, including ten-pane leaded glass doors, and can say the # 357 is surprisingly manageable to build. Since there are no horizontal glass dividers, building the glass door is greatly simplified. Table saw joinery techniques will be presented here, allowing construction of the door without chiseling any corners. Once you bring the door parts together, the glass recesses are formed automatically.

2 Layout the two mortises on each front leg with a combination square. A pattern routing jig will be used to draw the tapered shape on the legs.