original three-unit early 1920's stackable "barrister" or lawyer's darkly varnished oak wood bookcase manufactured by the globe-wernicke co., cincinnati, oh. the three interlocking units are completely intact, with the adjustable "wavy clear plate glass doors remaining fully operable. the three-unit bookcase contains a detachable crown or header, along with a curved front base. the original stianed finish remains in good overall condition, considering age. barristers or stacking bookcases were invented by the wernicke company (later globe-wernicke company.), and they originally called them "elastic bookcases". the globe files company was incorporated in ohio, february 9, 1882 by george nauerth, r.f. leaman, h.c. yeiser, j.j. hooker, w.n. king, and c.s. cragg. (founded with $60,000 in capital stock.) in 1884 the globe files company introduces its patented globe system of filing papers. soon after, they invented and introduced the elastic bookcase, which consisted of different sized glass-front cabinet components that could be stacked together in different configurations to create a customized workspace or storage unit. this concept was advertised to provide freedom from complications and adaptability to every filing need. in 1898 globe company, along with edwin seibels fabricated the first filing system to hold papers in a vertical position. this breakthrough in office systematization is displayed in the smithsonian institute in washington, d.c. as the prototype of the modern vertical file. in 1899, the globe company purchased the wernicke company and renamed itself the globe- wernicke company. the bookcase was salvaged from a grand specialties co. factory office located in chicago. measures 48 x 34 x 14 inches.