Victorian Writing Slope!

[Bisquitlips]

Out of curiosity, what is the angle in degrees of the writing slope?

 

 

This one seems to be about 33 degrees if that helps.

[Shangas]

Holy COW!!!!

 

I love lap desks.... but this one sends tingles up my left leg!

 

Something like this is usually really really really expensive. I managed to get it cheap because the guy I purchased it from was sick of having it in his antiques shop. He gave me his rock-bottom price and told me to get rid of the damn thing for him! So I did!

 

I had to do a fair bit of work to do it up (finding missing parts, etc), but other than that - it is wonderful!

[delano]

Holy COW!!!!

 

I love lap desks.... but this one sends tingles up my left leg!

 

At least someone understands! They are beautiful and functional and actually helpful to posture.

[UDog]

 

 

This one seems to be about 33 degrees if that helps.

 

Thanks for the information.

[UDog]

The angles on writing slopes are very shallow. In my experience, no more than about 15-20 degrees. That said, there were numerous styles of writing slopes and boxes, and some could have writing surfaces which were completely flat with almost no 'slope' component at all. But most that I've seen, the angle ranges between 10-20 degrees, I'd say.

 

Thanks for your help.

[Hallel]

I've been looking for something like this. The writing slope more than the traveling box. I find that writing on a flat desk hurts my back, but finding an angled writing slope is tricky.

[Jeffrey Garrett]

I purchased this writing slope a few years ago before I started to collect fountain pens. I don't use it for writing on though as I prefer to write on a larger flat surface. It is jolly handy for keeping a few special cards, writing paper and envelopes etc. in though.

 

I am also missing the the small ink bottles but they do come up from time to time on our favourite auction site. The key is not the original but it does lock.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

[inkeverywhere]

What a magnificent piece of craftsmanship, I would think there are craftsmen in the world today that produce similar quality objects. The big difference is the cost in today's money would make buying such an item prohibitive to most of us.

 

Your 'desk' has renewed my belief I will find that magic item in my journeys through many antique centres and markets here in Australia.

 

 

Greg.

Edited May 16, 2015 by inkeverywhere

[pen2paper]

still waiting to hear what the brass - lock? on the right does, or opens or secures? Shangas's has the same brass on his far left slope example.

[Jeffrey Garrett]

Pen2paper, your suggestion is correct. They are the catches that prevent the flap from opening when you flip the top over to reveal the slope. Release those catches and you have access to the lower compartment.

[pen2paper]

Pen2paper, your suggestion is correct. They are the catches that prevent the flap from opening when you flip the top over to reveal the slope. Release those catches and you have access to the lower compartment.

oh thank you! little details keep me in a state of wondering ; )

now I can rest (laughter).

[Jeffrey Garrett]

Another little quirk with these slopes is that when you open them to use them, you have to have the key facing away from you and then open it towards you. Otherwise it opens and the slope is the wrong way round!

 

As far as being portable, I would not want to carry my slope very far as it is quite heavy. Often described being 'Campaign Slopes', I suppose they were part of Officer's essentials. (Officer's Essential ... Name for a new pen perhaps)

[Bisquitlips]

 

Thanks for the information.

UDog,

 

I am off on this. The slope is about 18 to 20 degrees.

 

My apologies for the error.

[Bisquitlips]

ok. you both know this is thrilling.

but the Nancy Drew thing just ignited.. I see the lock, and where the key engages. In the Center.

So, What is the mechanical spot on the right side? compartment access?

 

Hi,

 

That is a thumb latch that keeps the lid in place when the lap desk is in a closed state. It is engaged with a thumbnail and slides a metal latch into a groove in the edge of the lid so when the desk is closed the bottom lid stays in place and the contents in the storage compartment stay put.

 

 

 

[Bisquitlips]

I purchased this writing slope a few years ago before I started to collect fountain pens. I don't use it for writing on though as I prefer to write on a larger flat surface. It is jolly handy for keeping a few special cards, writing paper and envelopes etc. in though.

 

I am also missing the the small ink bottles but they do come up from time to time on our favourite auction site. The key is not the original but it does lock.

 

 

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442557709_o.jpg

 

 

 

My compliments!

 

Beautiful!

 

[Shangas]

UDog,

 

I am off on this. The slope is about 18 to 20 degrees.

 

My apologies for the error.

 

See? Tol'ja! 20 degrees.

 

Where did you buy your new treasure, Bisquitlips?

[Bisquitlips]

 

See? Tol'ja! 20 degrees.

 

Where did you buy your new treasure, Bisquitlips?

I purchased it from these UK folks.

 

http://www.ebay.com/sch/chuzie5061/m.html?item=141654195690&ssPageName=STRK%3AMEBIDX%3AIT&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2562

 

chuzie5061

 

And they had it to me in two days!!!! Just incredible!

[Bo Bo Olson]

Jeffery,

I bid on something similar to yours in a live auction; but a slope, but didn't really go hard enough for it in it was empty. There is a poster here with a few slopes, and his had everything in it....so I decided to wait.....going to have to wait a bit longer than I want too, in even empty it was more expensive than i expected.

Very nice traveling box.

 

 

Edited May 20, 2015 by Bo Bo Olson

[Jeffrey Garrett]

Jeffery,

I bid on something similar to yours in a live auction; but a slope, but didn't really go hard enough for it in it was empty. There is a poster here with a few slopes, and his had everything in it....so I decided to wait.....going to have to wait a bit longer than I want too, in even empty it was more expensive than i expected.

Very nice traveling box.

 

 

 

There are quite a few of these up for auction within the UK on our favourite auction site. I think it is worth spending some time researching them as there are many sellers who purchase them as 'damaged' and in poor condition, to refurbish them; not always very well unfortunately. They can command a very high price if original and complete with inkwell and other related items. Finding replacement inkwells that fit your case is a problem as most are just a few millimetres too tall.

 

I tend to use my slope to store personal writing sundries within. If you have a large space to keep it open and in use that would be a bonus. I keep my slope more or less as a piece of furniture and set it up if I feel the need to use it. Space is limited.

 

Good luck with your search!

 

 

[Shangas]

If I had a large enough desk, I'd keep one of my boxes open. But for something meant to be portable, they take up a surprisingly large amount of space.