Description
Antique captains campaign writing box made of solid mahogany with steel slot screwed brass strapping and corner brackets for added extra strength. On either side is a brass drop handle with a decorative brass backplate. Opening the writing box reveals a red leather lockable writing surface with gold tooling and bone escutcheon, with a pen tray and two brass screw top inkwells.
The lower half of the campaign writing box surface is secured by a brass tab and can be lifted using the small ribbon loop. This reveals a storage area with a reading rail secured on one side, the underside of the writing surface has a crossband ribbon for storing letters. It also has a manufacturers label which reads: “N. Middleton, 162, Strand. Stationer Pocket Book & Pencil Maker, To The King & Prince of Wales, Writing & Dresfing Desks, Ebony Inkstands. Improved Crayon Pencils for Drawing in Colours.”
Located in the sidewall of the writing box is a very special key, these keys and this type of box were generally made for ships captains or military personnel. The key locates in two different positions on the inside of the box, once pushed in and pushing down turning the key clockwise forces the threaded screw to turn and go into a piece of furniture/ships deck for safe and secure travel.
Lifting the top half of the writing surface once unlocked reveals another storage space, this one hides small drawers hidden behind a secret compartment. Removing the right inkwell and pressing on the top half of its compartment base will cause a false wall to spring open! This allows access to three small drawers with bone handles.
On the right-hand edge of the open box is a small brass pin, once removed the drawer at the side of the box can be opened. It contains two large storage areas and one smaller lidded compartment.
This writing box comes with a fully working lock and key. The key must be turned clockwise to unlock.
All our items come with an authentication certificate with an image, as well as our latest catalogue, care instructions and separate invoice for insurance purposes. On top of this, our items come with a 14 day no-quibble money-back guarantee and are all fully insured for when shipping.
