2. 1774 CAMPAIN DESK Presented by BOB VAN CLEEF of the North River Railway

3. ABOUT THIS PROJECT A box like this would be used by any wealthy traveler. Lap boxes and desks like the one shown here existed primarily in colonial times. They came in many shapes and sizes as they were custom made for the individual who owned them They were very expensive and used by military officers, Royalty, heads of state and in general, those that did a lot of traveling but most rarely strayed more than 20 miles from home.

4. SO HOW DID THEY COME ABOUT? It all started with the first scribes who were at the back and call of the local kings and rulers most of whom did not know how to read or write. They wrote the official letters and documents of the government. They had no tables or desks for thousands of years They simply held the clay tablets, papyrus or whatever they used in their laps as they wrote.

5. WRITING SLOPES Crude tables of many types existed before the 5 th century, the most common of which was the simple tressle. These began to come into existence during and the beginning of the medieval period. They were used primarily by scribes within monasteries for copying biblical documents and manuscripts.

6. Tables Various Tables gradually evolved with each generation of civilization. Tables were used for serving food, work surfaces and a host of other purposes. It wasn’t until the 1500s that the first tables specifically designed for writing appeared in Italy. Note the simple writing tools shown here.

7. WRITING DESKS Desks began to come into existence during the medieval period era. They appeared in monasteries first for scribes to copy biblical manuscripts.

8. ABOUT LAP DESKS Lap desks like this antique slant front were made to be rugged enough to withstand frequent rough handling. Most people in colonial times rarely moved more than ten or fifteen miles from home. Only the rich, politicians or salesmen traveled. Those that did had to be self-sufficient for days and weeks at a time. Taverns, where travelers were logged generally had no writing materials for their patrons to use.

9. LAP DESK BEFORE STAINING This desk as trays for often used items such a quill pens, ink and paper. Letters to be mailed, sealing wax and other supplies are kept under the trays

10. INSIDE THE DESK The inside of this early small box was simple While crude, they had to contain the paper, quill pens and ink used to write letters and keep diaries. A multitude of other small trinkets such as sewing supplies and other items were also kept in the desk

11. A MODERN LAP BOX The closest thing to a lap box today is this custom version. It has spaces a calculator, stapler, paper, pencils and a few other writing supplies. A rare Modern day lap desk

12. RETURN TO THE TABLET Alas, the lap desk has long been obsolete. But history has a habit of repeating itself. Remember that scribe from Centuries ago? Might this modern scribe, sitting on a rock “seat” with his tablet and stylus, remind you of someone?

13. ABOUT THIS PROJECT You may find this project, if you include the box, its contents and all that goes with it, is quite extensive. The result is not an accurate reproduction but rather is simply representative colonial era lap boxes. The actual boxes were very expensive and made by master cabinet makers using seasoned hardwoods such as oak, cherry and walnut. Dovetail construction was used. This box is made from spruce lumber and Birch plywood (not available during colonial times). I have tried to make the blueprints as accurate as possible but I am not a professional draftsman by any means. Still, I hope you have enjoyed this project.

14. ABOUT THIS PROJECT The following is a blueprint for making a desk It is not an authentic reproduction. I would simply like to think this is how it might have been made if modern materials had been available.

20. PAGE 4 LEFT BLANK FOR NOW

34. For More Information… FurnitureDesignHistory http://www.onlinedesignteacher.com/furniture_design/furniture_design_history.html http://www.onlinedesignteacher.com/furniture_design/furniture_design_history.html Examples of various types of furnature and time periods they first appeared. HISTORY OF WRITING DESKS http://www.antiquetrader.com/columns/the_history_of_writing_desks_writing_is_so _basic_to_our_lives_that_we_take_writing_desks_for_grante PIANO HINGES http://www.hardwaresource.com/hinges/specialty-hinges/piano-hinges-continuous- hinges-roton-hinges/piano-hinge-brass-plated-steel-with-holes# Large assortment of piano hinges MUTUAL SCREW SUPPLY - http://www.mutualscrew.com/http://www.mutualscrew.com/ Hard to find screws for mounting piano hinges

35. This presentation has been brought to you by the North River Railway Bob Van Cleef 46 Broadway Coventry, CT 06238 http://www.northriverrailway.net THE END