grand antique mahogany captain's writing slope lap desk by nicholas middleton c1810

Description

A quite amazing example of a writing slope, this one has it all and it will be many years until I come across another of the caliber.
Made from solid Mahogany, with secondary timbers also in Mahogany highlighting what a magnificent quality example this is. The box is beautifully bound in brass with top-notch screwed construction.
The box opens to reveal the original writing surface with a Sheffield plate inkwell and Pounce pot. The box comes complete with the key for the box and the second key for the inside to open the upper flap.
The box has a set of secret drawers, really well concealed, the top left hand compartment has a side that slides off and a small hole can be seen to the base. The brass pin can be used to push into the hole releasing the cover to the secret drawers.
This is known as a Captain's writing desk it would have been used at sea and secured to the wooden deck floor with the large "key" which would be used to screw onto the floor.
The box also has a lectern, stored on the inside of the box, it can be removed and place in the two holes in the top of the box, the box can then be tilted using the brass pin and creating a sloped reading book rest.
There is also a side drawer opened when the brass pin is removed, and each side having flush inlaid brass / Campaign carrying handles.
Both internal flaps have the original labels, quite rare and highly sought-after. Even better, the label is for Nicholas Middleton at 162 The Strand in London, with Royal Warrants to His Majesty the King and The Prince of Wales; quite remarkable that both labels have survived.
A really remarkable box in superb condition, the crack you see on the secondary (interior) timber is common, and purely a shrinkage crack, normal and insignificant.
Item ID: 34880
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Internal Ref: 34880