quality antique english leather covered writing box lap desk

Description

A wonderful Victorian lap desk dating to around 1860 clad in black leather.
This is a quality piece and would have been an expensive example when purchased, perhaps for titled lady or gentleman.
The box is almost book shaped and resembles a modern day attache case with a top-notch heavy cast brass handle and a Bramah lock, the creme de la creme of locks, marked Bramah, London on the inside. It comes complete with the original working key which is a wonderful bonus as these high security lock key's are almost impossible to replace and if possible cost a small fortune.
When opened, the box forms a writing slope which is held closed with two brass catches. The back side of this lid has had the elasticated memo board replaced, perfect and ready for use.
The other half of the slope has two "doors" with storage underneath for various stationery and correspondence. One interior side has loops for various pens and pencils and the other side an integral envelope style portfolio for special papers.
At the side the box retains it's fittings with a removable pen tray, a wonderful travelling inkwell and travelling Vesta; the match safe has a place to stand a lit match acting as a go-to-bed, creating enough light to get up the stairs to light a chamberstick. The seal of the inkwell has stuck in the opening of the glass ink chamber, I have not attempted to remove it.
A wonderful box, perfectly usable today and a good practical size; measuring 14" x 10 1/2" x 3 3/4" tall while closed.
Item ID: 31424
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Internal Ref: 31424