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- Work Table, 1805-1820 -
- 1805-1820
- Collections - Artifact
Work Table, 1805-1820
- Portable Writing Desk, circa 1850 - Made of mahogany, ivory, and brass, this portable writing desk has a mechanism for copying text and secret drawers for hiding documents. Thomas Jefferson designed a similar combination portable writing desk and copying press. This may be an example of his design made in England or France, or it may be the product of another clever inventor.
- circa 1850
- Collections - Artifact
Portable Writing Desk, circa 1850
Made of mahogany, ivory, and brass, this portable writing desk has a mechanism for copying text and secret drawers for hiding documents. Thomas Jefferson designed a similar combination portable writing desk and copying press. This may be an example of his design made in England or France, or it may be the product of another clever inventor.
- John Burroughs "On the Job," circa 1917 - John Burroughs (1837-1921) was an internationally known naturalist and writer whose nature essays were well-received in both literary and scientific circles. From his home in the Catskills of upstate New York, Burroughs wrote mostly about what could be found in accessible and familiar landscapes. He wanted his readers to appreciate the natural world that surrounded them.
- circa 1917
- Collections - Artifact
John Burroughs "On the Job," circa 1917
John Burroughs (1837-1921) was an internationally known naturalist and writer whose nature essays were well-received in both literary and scientific circles. From his home in the Catskills of upstate New York, Burroughs wrote mostly about what could be found in accessible and familiar landscapes. He wanted his readers to appreciate the natural world that surrounded them.
- Anita Searl Writing at Desk, circa 1933 - Though new communications technologies -- including telephones, typewriters, and telegraphs -- had emerged by the 1930s, many Americans still sent handwritten letters to distant family and friends.
- circa 1933
- Collections - Artifact
Anita Searl Writing at Desk, circa 1933
Though new communications technologies -- including telephones, typewriters, and telegraphs -- had emerged by the 1930s, many Americans still sent handwritten letters to distant family and friends.
- Lithograph, "A Seal of Affection," 1846 - A fashionably dressed young lady is shown in the process of sealing a letter to a loved one, perhaps a relative, or a gentleman friend. She is embossing melted wax with a seal. The young lady sits in front of her portable writing desk. Within it, she can store stationery, pens, and other needs. The top is covered in green felt to provide a comfortable writing surface.
- 1846
- Collections - Artifact
Lithograph, "A Seal of Affection," 1846
A fashionably dressed young lady is shown in the process of sealing a letter to a loved one, perhaps a relative, or a gentleman friend. She is embossing melted wax with a seal. The young lady sits in front of her portable writing desk. Within it, she can store stationery, pens, and other needs. The top is covered in green felt to provide a comfortable writing surface.
- Tambour Desk, by John Seymour, 1795-1805 - Tambour desks are an American innovation associated with the father and son cabinetmaking team of John and Thomas Seymour. The Seymours emigrated from England in the 1780s, eventually settling in Boston. They are distinguished by reeded tambours, or panels, covering pigeonholes and drawers, much like later roll-top desks. Combining small size and delicate proportions, Tambour desks were intended for use by women, for correspondence and addressing invitations.
- 1795-1805
- Collections - Artifact
Tambour Desk, by John Seymour, 1795-1805
Tambour desks are an American innovation associated with the father and son cabinetmaking team of John and Thomas Seymour. The Seymours emigrated from England in the 1780s, eventually settling in Boston. They are distinguished by reeded tambours, or panels, covering pigeonholes and drawers, much like later roll-top desks. Combining small size and delicate proportions, Tambour desks were intended for use by women, for correspondence and addressing invitations.
- Writing Desk Made by George Matthew Adams, Jr., 1890-1895 -
- 1890-1895
- Collections - Artifact
Writing Desk Made by George Matthew Adams, Jr., 1890-1895
- Portable Writing Desk, Owned by Edgar Allan Poe, 1830-1849 - Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer known for poetry and short stories. His mystery stories were innovative in American literature. Poe led an unsettled life traveling up and down the East Coast of the United States, staying in jobs for short periods of time. For someone who earned his living through writing, a portable desk would have been a valued possession.
- 1830-1849
- Collections - Artifact
Portable Writing Desk, Owned by Edgar Allan Poe, 1830-1849
Edgar Allan Poe was an American writer known for poetry and short stories. His mystery stories were innovative in American literature. Poe led an unsettled life traveling up and down the East Coast of the United States, staying in jobs for short periods of time. For someone who earned his living through writing, a portable desk would have been a valued possession.
- Table, Used as a Writing Desk by Mark Twain, 1830-1860 - This table belonged to Mark Twain (1835-1910), American author and humorist whose real name was Samuel L. Clemens. The author wrote at this table during the later years of his life. Twain's daughter Clara gave it to Henry Ford, along with a portrait of her father.
- 1830-1860
- Collections - Artifact
Table, Used as a Writing Desk by Mark Twain, 1830-1860
This table belonged to Mark Twain (1835-1910), American author and humorist whose real name was Samuel L. Clemens. The author wrote at this table during the later years of his life. Twain's daughter Clara gave it to Henry Ford, along with a portrait of her father.