Description:
WB475: Important rare brass bound  solid mahogany ship captain's campaign writing box with complex secret drawers and compartments including a false bottom.  The box retains its original green felt writing surface, pounce  and inkwell. The box also has a screw down mechanism enabling it  be attached to a table. There is also a reading stand which is attached to the top surface when the box is held at an angle with an adjustable hinged brass catch. Circa 1800.

Origin: UK

Circa: 1800.

Size: 50.5 cm by 27.5 cm by 19 cm: 19.9  inches by 10.8  inches by 7.8 inches.

Condition: Good overall original condition working locks and keys.

The box retains its original green felt writing surface and inkwell. The box also has a screw down mechanism enabling it  be attached to a table. In this picture the screw can be seen coming out of the bottom of the box. 

The brass is  structural, protective, and ornamental. These boxes are constructed with dovetail joints and are built to survive the rigors of military and naval campaigns.   

 The box retains its original felt writing surface. There are spaces for storing papers under the flaps. The upper one of these has a false bottom. 

Both the flaps have locks which are opened with the same key.

 The head of the screw which is used to secure the box to a table is triangular. The key used to turn it is also in this picture.

 Here the key is in place.

 Detail of one of the strap hinges: all the slots of the iron screws have been lined up. The small hole in the felt is used to access the release mechanism for the false bottom.

The box retains an original inkwell and a pounce pot.

 The box has a special key to tighten the screws which attach it to a table or deck.

There is also a reading stand which is attached to the top surface when the box is held at an angle with the hinged brass catch.

The reading stand was very useful in a time when light was either from window or candle. A book could be arranged to maximize the available light. 

The box enabled you to read and gather knowledge for longer.

Perhaps it inspired you to open it and start writing.

There is a sprung panel concealing the first nest of secret drawers. 

The panel is released by pressing the floor of the central compartment

 In this picture the catch is visible

The small hole in the felt is used to access the release mechanism for the false bottom.

In this picture the false bottom is being lifted up by its springs.

The drawers are of fine dovetail construction.

They are both semi blind dovetail: they do not appear on the surface.

There is a description of dovetails in another box at: http://www.hygra.com/wb/wbmabrstrp.htm 

In one of the drawers there were two piece of paper which my give a clue to an earlier owner.

"My dear Aunt Louisa
 I write to you a few lines to say Marianna was confined yesterday morning and we are very pleased it is a little boy. She sends her  ??? love to you and  Uncle John Trumain yours affectionately

Charlotte Langdale 

December 27th (18)59." 

There were a couple of pieces of paper in one of the drawers.

The drawers are of fine dovetail construction.

They are both semi blind dovetail: they do not appear on the surface.

There is a description of dovetails in another box at: http://www.hygra.com/wb/wbmabrstrp.htm 

To replace the false bottom it is pressed down in both corners to enable the catches to engage

 Both the flaps have locks which are opened with the same key.

Under the flaps there are places for storing papers. The reading stand is kept here when not in use.

 Detail of the riser for the reading stand