ens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches,

Writing boxes were typically fashionable, multifunctional and portable. There were “Exceptional” writing boxes designed to perform extra services for their owners. Decorated with penwork, chinoiserie (Chinese decorative motifs) and painted scenes, these boxes were often varnished in order to protect the pigments and inks. Most of these boxes are “bound” with thick brass corners, screwed with steel screws to strengthen the joints and to prevent “bruising” the wood.

Gradually, military features such as handles, thick brass edgings and corners gave way to more ornamentation, rather than the strengthening use of brass. Dark rosewood or figured mahogany boxes were made with subtle brass stringing enhanced with circular small ornaments or curvilinear shields and ornamental plates. Fine boxes, which could easily be carried from room to room, served the need of private correspondence.

Here are four characteristics of these rare, exceptional writing boxes:

1. Some types of writing boxes were designed to incorporate personal grooming items that a gentleman would require on his travels, such as shaving and general hygiene containers.

2. “Triple Opening” writing boxes were made to open in two directions: one part up and the other down. The middle and down sections form the normal writing box, while the upper portion opens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches,

boxes are “bound” with thick brass corners, screwed with steel screws to strengthen the joints and to prevent “bruising” the wood.

Gradually, military features such as handles, thick brass edgings and corners gave way to more ornamentation, rather than the strengthening use of brass. Dark rosewood or figured mahogany boxes were made with subtle brass stringing enhanced with circular small ornaments or curvilinear shields and ornamental plates. Fine boxes, which could easily be carried from room to room, served the need of private correspondence.

Here are four characteristics of these rare, exceptional writing boxes:

1. Some types of writing boxes were designed to incorporate personal grooming items that a gentleman would require on his travels, such as shaving and general hygiene containers.

2. “Triple Opening” writing boxes were made to open in two directions: one part up and the other down. The middle and down sections form the normal writing box, while the upper portion opens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches,

de with subtle brass stringing enhanced with circular small ornaments or curvilinear shields and ornamental plates. Fine boxes, which could easily be carried from room to room, served the need of private correspondence.

Here are four characteristics of these rare, exceptional writing boxes:

1. Some types of writing boxes were designed to incorporate personal grooming items that a gentleman would require on his travels, such as shaving and general hygiene containers.

2. “Triple Opening” writing boxes were made to open in two directions: one part up and the other down. The middle and down sections form the normal writing box, while the upper portion opens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches,

e designed to incorporate personal grooming items that a gentleman would require on his travels, such as shaving and general hygiene containers.

2. “Triple Opening” writing boxes were made to open in two directions: one part up and the other down. The middle and down sections form the normal writing box, while the upper portion opens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches,

ens as an upright lid with an attached, leather covered container. Sometimes these boxes had “pockets for holding notes, etc.”

3. Another type of writing box incorporated a machine for printing. This included a heavy brass cylinder, which is turned by a handle over a sliding surface, enabling the rapid copying of maps, dispatches, etc.

4. The most complex and intriguing of all exceptional writing boxes is the “Ship Captain's Writing Box.” Often, there are spaces for candlesticks and a reading stand. Their most unique feature is that they have a mechanism enabling them to be screwed down, thus achieving some stability in stormy seas.

The following resource books can assist you with researching the fundamentals of antique writing boxes:

• The Schiffer Book: Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies & Society – 1700 – 1880

(Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly)

• The Write Stuff: Collector’s Guide to Inkwells, Fountain Pens, and Desk Accessories (Ray and Bevy Jaegers)

By this time, the secret compartments of writing boxes were more popular than the side drawers. Occasionally both were used, especially on larger boxes. Fine artistic craftsmanship went into the types of slopes, exceptional materials used for the flaps and interiors, complex decorative patterns and the mechanics of these writing boxes. These factors were the major components in taking an ordinary writing box and transforming it into a functional, artistic masterpiece.