writting desks

[Marylander in Grey]

Greatings All,
I am interest in portable writting desks, light marching order. I am developing a Correspondants impression. I am looking for anything that would show what a period artist would have used for sketches.
Thank you
Chris

[mtvernon]

Re: writting desks

Not sure what a writting desk is. How does one writ?

Sorry, I couldn't resist.

[Miss Elodie]

Re: writting desks

Good afternoon,

While this is a bit before our time and you may already have a writing desk at hand, I spotted this in the new Smoke & Fire catalog this weekend and thought you might be interested:

http://tinyurl.com/38ftfs

Hopefully this will give you something to use when comparison shopping.

Jennifer Payne

[Jeff Prechtel]

Re: writting desks

Chris-
here's a link to a photo of the box I use when i'm doing
an 1850's living history artist impression for a local museum.
My box is an original, but sorely is missing the lock. Someone
in their profound judgement pryed out the snap lock.

The implements i use, are as close as I can document from
an 1840s Winsor & Newton catalogue that W&N co. was kind
enough to email me last spring.

My kit includes a field sketchbook documented from
one of Seth Eastman's. vine charcole, conte` sticks,
ink, ink pen & nibs, and W&N water colors (period correct colors only)
and watercolor sheets cut to various sizes, which are kept in my portfolio.

Here's the link to the photo of my kit;

http://i4.photobucket.com/albums/y138/jnp63/artbox.jpg

Good luck.
Jeff Prechtel

[bqbowden]

Re: writting desks

Chris,

I have a reproduction similiar to one shown in Echos of Glory. It has a "core" consisting of a tin tube, cut in half. It is divided to allow a place for pins, nibs and a small bottle of ink. The ink is kept in a special metal/brass container in such a way as the bottle of ink will not spill. The tube is attached to a length of painted canvas. To the back of this are wood "ribs". When this is unrolled, the wood ribs will form a hard writing surface. There is a folding "rib" which locks in place and holds the surafe in place.

This item will collapse and roll up in your haversack. I have used it while out in the field writing orders for the general and his staff. I have also tried using it while mounted, but I find using a small journal and tearing pages works much better for mounted work.

I tried finging a picture on the internet for you, but had no luck. I found mine a few years back at a sutler and this was the last one he had. You could make one, but the tube and the ink bottle would be hard to make if you were not handy with metal working. If you like, I could make pictures and post.

Now, as for using something like this to draw on, it would be a bit small. However, I did come across something which I beleive would be authentic, but you would have to some more research on this item. This link (http://www.lane-mchs.org/library/library.html) has another link to a picture of a portable writing desk. As far as I can tell, it is a simple papermache folding binder. Perhaps this would work better if you want something larger for drawing on. It would not be waterproof for being out in the field, however you could make this, then cover it in either a light weight leather (deer skin) or even painted canvas - I see no reason to not beleive this would not be authentic - however I would want to do more research before making any bets on this statement.

I have seen (and documented) several writing boxes, however unless you were an officer able to carry bagage, this item would be a bit cumbersome if you were traveling on foot or riding a horse. You could carry a small box to transport your pens, penciles, ink, etc., but nothing large enough to open and write on.

I hope this helps you. If anyone who reads this has other ideas or finds some of my statements wrong, please let me know.

Barry Bowden
Major, Alabama Division, Retired

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

Re: writting desks

I would also recommend using the search function on this site for patent writing kits.

[bqbowden]

Re: writting desks

Okay, I have looked all day and have not seen a picture of my writing desk, but I have come across some examples worth considering (Disclaimer - I do not know the authenticity of some of these items).

http://mdhughes.vci.net/Dixie/Pages/ProductDetails.asp?ProductID=402

Leather "pouch" to hold paper, pencils, etc. This could be sized up to accomodate larger paper sizes

http://www.ushist.com/props/writing-equipment_desks.htm

Various wooden writing desks. Some of these are authentic, some are not.

I hope this helps ...

[BobSullivanPress]

Re: writting desks

Greatings All,
I am interest in portable writting desks, light marching order. I am developing a Correspondants impression. I am looking for anything that would show what a period artist would have used for sketches.
Thank you
Chris

Hello,

Are you planning on being a Correspondent, or a Sketch Artist? Two very different occupations, two very different sets of equipment, and neither one probably needs a writing desk.

Sketch Artist - See the famous picture of Alfred Waud, sketch pad propped on one knee, sketching at Little Round Top. Can't get a better shot than that. Notice he is using a large portfolio type container to hold his work and to use as a base for sketches. Most artists drew pencil sketches in the field, making notes on the sketch for the lithographers back at the paper/magazine. See notes on Waud, Homer, etc. While it is nice to think that Homer painted in the field, according to the book I have on him he made sketches and painted from the sketches back at the studio.

A Correspondent just needs a satchel or knapsack large enough to carry personal items and a pad and pencils. The pad should probably be a home-made version of the stenographer pads available now. You know, the ones with the sprial at the top. DON'T USE ONE OF THESE IN THE FIELD, THE SPRIAL IS NOT PERIOD. I've seen period style notebooks, and while they are bound at the top, they are bound in such a way as to facilitate foldover.

For both of these impressions, you'd probably be sending your work back via express company or (in the case of a correspondent) telegraph.