Object Record
Images
Metadata
Object ID # |
1996.034.004abcd |
Object Name |
Desk, Portable |
Title |
Mr. Telford's Bird's Eye Maple Deed Box |
Lexicon category |
6: T&E For Communication |
Date |
pre-1879 |
Year Range from |
1840 |
Year Range to |
1879 |
Artist |
W. P. Telford |
Made |
Telford, William P. |
Place of Origin |
Annan, Municipality of Meaford, Grey County? |
Description |
Bird's eye maple "Deed Box" (writing box) that pre-dates 1879. The box is rectangular, with an attractive bird's eye maple wood exterior. The box has L-shaped brass hinges. When opened up with the lid laid back, there is a sloping surface which provides a writing surface. The interior has 4 compartments, and two compartment covers. One big compartment underneath is for papers, then there is a rectangular area for pens and pencils, and a small, squarish section at the right (likely for nibs, stamps, etc.). The interior of the lid is also a storage area for papers and stationery. A small brass pivoting catch helps hold this compartment's cover in place. The box has a tiny key still with it. The locking mechanism has "Patent" and a "VR" and crown motif that dates it as Victorian [VR = Victoria Regina]. There is an inlayed black diamond-shaped keyhole escutcheon. The "Deed Box" (a-d) was made by William P. Telford (b. 1797-d. 1879) but it is not known what year he made it. Mr. Telford did not put any lettering or dates on this piece, and it is not known where he purchased the hardware for it. |
Provenance |
Hand-made by William P. Telford (b.1797-d.1879) a Scottish settler who emigrated in 1840 with his family, settling briefly at Galt, Upper Canada. They later moved onwards in the 1850s to the Lakeshore Line area of Sydenham Township, Grey County, where they settled at Annan. Mr. Telford became the first schoolteacher in that area. He was a woodworker and furniture maker as well, and was an accomplished penman and musician. It likely next belonged to J. P. Telford (Colonel James Pattison Telford). He was a woodworker like his father. James P. Telford's family later lived in Owen Sound, Grey County, and the piece was passed down to the Murray M. Telford family, being last owned by Dorothy A. Telford. |
Collection |
Office Equipment & Accessories Collection |
Material |
Wood/Finish/Brass |
Dimensions |
H-16 W-36 L-19.2 cm |
Found |
Owen Sound, Grey County |
People |
Telford, William Pattison Telford, James P. Telford, Murray |
Subjects |
Woodworking Desks |
Function |
A lockable, and portable box, with inner compartments, that holds papers and stationery, that also could hold some writing equipment. It also provides a writing surface. These are sometimes called "lap desks". The family that owned this one always called it a "Deed Box", which suggests that it was used to keep their important documents in. |