Collection Highlights
The Personal Memoirs of U.S. Grant
Date:
1885-1886
Object Number:
LIB.XL.CT.G763.A3
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Museum Collections
Luce Center
Writing desk
Object Number:
1917.6
Date:
1770-1780
Medium:
Mahogany, brass, textile, leather, paper, metal, wax
Dimensions:
Desk: 8 1/8 x 20 5/8 x 12 3/4 in. (20.6 x 52.4 x 32.4 cm)
Marks:
written: in ink under front of writing surface: "Henry Giles/from his/mother/New York/April 29/1821"
written: in pencil under other half of writing surface: "$ 86 + 3 = $ 89 [underlined]"
written: in ink on verso of tag tied to drawer pull: "Giles 350 W
Description:
Rectangular mahogany writing desk with rosette mounts with bail handle on each side and keyhole on top; front quarter segment of desk opens out from middle of top to lie even with bottom, forming slanted writing surface covered in green textile, and revealing front of static frame, divided into drawers; front half of writing surface can be folded back to reveal narrow compartment containing leather wallet with four slips of cardboard and sealing wax on paper; top half can be folded back to reveal larger compartment extending to back of desk, with bottom covered in brown paper, under drawers with brass pulls dangling from knobs; one drawer divided into eight smaller compartments.
Gallery Label:
See N-YHS Quarterly Bulletin, January 1918.
Credit Line:
Gift of Mrs. Edgar Saltus
Due to ongoing research, information about this object is subject to change.
