This is a gentleman's traveling desk, Scottish, precisely dated 1878.
It is a superb example of master craftsmanship; an auctioneer and antiques dealer just called it "the most magnificent traveling desk I've ever seen".
It is Walnut Burl with brass fittings and African Ebony veneer on the inside nook covers.
When closed, it is 20" wide, 8 1/2" high and 11" deep.
When you open it, there is a black leather writing surface with gold borders.
This is the original leather surface.
It opens to a writing surface of 22 1/2" wide.
The writing surface locks via a built-in mechanism, which you can unlock with your fingernail, or with the supplied steel tools.
All hardware is original.
Both sides of the writing surface lift up. So there are two separate filing areas, both graduating in depth up to 3" in depth.
The one on the right has a little brass button. If you pull on it, the whole wooden panel comes away, revealing 3 hidden drawers.
Each drawer is 5 1/2" x 1" x 2".
On the far right, there is a panel of 5 recesses, including 2 for inkwells. They are 3" deep and 2" wide, except for the pen area, which is 8 1/2" wide. The lids of these recesses are veneered in African ebony and have brass pulls. These recesses and lids had some damage--from ink bottles constantly being replaced, and were just restored by a master cabinetmaker.
There are two pull-up brass carrying handles, each one is 1/8" thick and 2 1/4" wide.
But, if you pull one of them, it is a drawer handle, as a 17 3/4" x 2" x 9 1/2" drawer pulls out.
There are two locks built-in, but I don't have the keys.
There is an ink stain on the storage area on the right side.
These are its only deficiencies.
The brass plaque on the lid reads:
Presented
to
Mr John Yorkston
By a Few Friends
On the Occasion of His Leaving
Falkirk
22nd Aug 1878
I have been in touch with the curator at the Falkirk Museum (Callendar House) in Scotland. I'm told that, at that time, Falkirk was one of the main iron-producing areas in Britain, and had the largest foundry in the world. It was also one of the world's centers for brick-making, and there was a large brewery there. All of these businesses were heavily exporting to Australia and the United States. The curator suggests that this John Yorkston worked for one of these businesses and was leaving to go to another country to facilitate exports.
This is an absolutely stunning box, in near-mint condition and of the finest materials and workmanship.
Ships immediately, to anywhere in the world. If you are outside of North America, please inquire re shipping. This shipment will have to be professionally packed, and tracked, so overseas shipping will be at least $200.00 CAD
The sale price here includes professional packing at the UPS Store.
For more, go to my Ebay Store at https://www.ebay.ca/str/starcanadianseller
Please note: I do not accept returns. All sales are final.