Doe and Hope

Description

A Victorian brass bound mahogany writing slope, with secret drawers.

Of a lovely golden mahogany, mounted with brass corners, escutcheon, and blank shield, onto which a monogram can be engraved. The lid opens to two ink bottles, a removable pen tray, and a morocco leather writing surface, tooled in gilt and blind, with a gilt border and fleur-de-lis motifs. Both sides of the leather surface open to compartments for storing stationery, and the secret compartment, perfect for keeping treasured mementoes, is accessed by first pulling up one of the wooden dividers next to one of the ink bottles, which activates a spring-loaded mechanism that pushes the drawer out. The box is overall in very good condition, has an excellent colour, and also the original working lock and key.

Perfect for penning letters to loved ones writing slopes such as these were an essential part of English nineteenth-century life. Constantly in use, and small enough to be portable, they were the principal instruments of communication before the advent of telephones and computers. A good, solid example, perfect for those who still appreciate the hand-written word.