Details about  Ikea Princip black ash furniture retro storage and display units

Ikea storage furniture in the Princip range, in black ash.

The three components (low cupboard, four-drawer section and high cupboard) fix together to form one complete unit. The frame is made of very sturdy particleboard and finished with real ash veneer and trimmed with aluminium edging. The left section has one wood door and a single shelf, the centre section has four drawers, and the right section has a lower cupboard with wood door and shelf, and an upper glass door and two glass shelves (one of which has never been used and is still in its ikea plastic wrapper). The handles are chrome, and the glass is tempered, toughened. 

The total width is 194cm and the depth is 41 cm. The lower section is 65cm high and the high cabinet in 116cm. We have dismantled the centre section, leaving two sections assembled - the width of these is 66 cm each.

Bought in late 1992 and originally flat packed, it's over 20 years old but still looking in excellent condition.  The drawers glide beautifully and the hinges are in perfect condition. Included is an Ikea light unit which fits on the back of the glass shelf and takes two small-screw candle bulbs. All fixings, screws, bolts, shelf supports etc are complete and in good order. Also included is the original instruction leaflet, the assembly spanner and allen key and the little floor-leveling wedges. This furniture in black was being discontinued after 1993 and hence stocks were being run down. I had all the drawer internals but I could only buy three out of the four drawer fronts in black. Hence I bought a separate piece of black ash and made my own fourth front - Look at the pictures and I challenge anyone to spot which is not the original. The only thing that gives it away is the plain wood edge on one side, but this is only visible when the drawer is open (you can just see it in one of the pictures). I have also included one picture in its dismantled state, and some scans from the Ikea catalogues of 1992 and 1993.  

For those who have only experienced Ikea recently you may not realise that the quality of materials has diminished over the years due to price squeezing, but this furniture is very tough and strong, and will last for many years to come. It has only had one house-move, when we dis-assembled the centre section just like we have done now. I have made some notes of the specific pieces which are dismantled and taken some photos of the process so you should have no trouble in reversing the operation to reconnect the three sections.

From the 1992 Ikea catalogue the original price I paid was: Medium base £125, low connecting unit £75 low add-on unit £73, two wood doors £44, glass door £20, four drawer pack £56, two wood shelves £22, two glass shelves £15, total price £430 (not including the light fitting).

Selling due to redesign of the room, but sorry to part with such a good-quality piece of furniture. Cash accepted as an alternative to PayPal.