Thomas Jefferson Portable Desk

Thomas Jefferson Portable Desk

was $950.00
Now $795.00 you save $155.00 (17%)

This extraordinary writing desk, weighing but five pounds, is the result of Jefferson's ability to invent the obvious: a portable desk in which he could keep all of his supplies and with which he could comfortably read or write no matter where he was. Constantly in his personal possession, the "writing box," as he called it, accompanied him wherever he went. When opened, the desk offers a comfortably slanted writing surface. The lid's support arms have different notches so Jefferson could change the angle of the top when he wished. Folded half way, it becomes a book rest. A single lockable drawer has compartments for paper, pens and a glass inkwell. Mr. Jefferson's Portable Desk, true to every exquisite detail of the original, is hand-crafted of mahogany, about the size of an attaché case: 9 3/4 inches long by 14 3/8 inches wide by 3 1/4 inches deep. The folding board serves as a book rest for reading, and, when opened, grows to a 19 3/4 inch baize-covered writing surface. Like the original desk, our replica is hand-crafted by a skilled cabinetmaker, utilizing 18th century woodworking techniques and tools.

In Jefferson's era, "French polishing" was considered to give the best possible finish to fine furniture. The process was very labor intensive, however, and many major manufacturers abandoned the technique around 1930, instead preferring the cheaper and quicker techniques. The process is lengthy and very repetitive. The historically-accurate finish on the Thomas Jefferson Portable Desk is obtained by applying many thin coats of french polish (shellac dissolved in alcohol) using a specific combination of different rubbing motions (generally circles and figure-eights), waiting for considerable time, building up layers of polish and then spiriting off any streaks left in the surface. The resulting finish has a very high gloss, deep colour, and tough surface.

Thomas Jefferson Portable Desk
Item #01100

Availability: Ships in 2 weeks


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