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Victorian Writing Slope!

Bisquitlips

By Bisquitlips
in Paper and Pen Paraphernalia

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Bisquitlips

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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.

If only we could revert to yesteryear! !! ?? !!

"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."  - Selwyn Duke    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Bisquitlips Collectors Item

Bisquitlips

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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!

 

attachicon.gifIMG_0961.JPG

Just lovely! Wow!

"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."  - Selwyn Duke    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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ac12 Donor Pen

ac12

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Question on using these slopes.

Because they have a minimum thickness in the front of say 2 to 3 inches, the table that they put it on has to be a bit lower, or they/you are writing on a surface that is awkwardly high. I am imagining trying to use this on my kitchen table, and thinking that I have to raise my chair to get my arm high enough. And not having one, I can't actually use it to verify this thought.

San Francisco Pen Show - August 28-30, 2020 - Redwood City, California

www.SFPenShow.com

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Jeffrey Garrett Rare

Jeffrey Garrett

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If only we could revert to yesteryear! !! ?? !!

I still like to make few little bits for presents etc.

 

I'm not normally awake at this hour but I have been woken up by an earth tremor which is very unusual for the UK!

My Instagram page.

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  • 2 months later...
Bisquitlips Collectors Item

Bisquitlips

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Guys,

 

The fine British couple who, for a hobby, restore these lovely Victorian lap desks to their original condition without demanding an arm and a leg for them has 4 new ones listed.

 

When I purchased mine I had it in two business days from Britain literally. I was flabbergasted! I am seriously pondering adding the "under drawer" model that is last in their listings to my collection. They are luscious!

 

A couple like this deserves a shameless plug. Here is their link. http://www.ebay.com/sch/chuzie5061/m.html?ssPageName=STRK%3AMEFSXS%3AMESOI&_trksid=p2053788.m1543.l2654

"The further a society drifts from truth, the more it will hate those who speak it."  - Selwyn Duke    

 

 

 

 

 

 

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  • 9 months later...
AD64 Rare

AD64

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I'll just leave these here...

 

11231873_1604048886520258_2430200572142310644727_1604048889853591_5213305495817811148848_1604048883186925_79985494029672

 

Oh my, oh my .... you didn't just leave those out for us to enjoy?

 

Many thanks for the lovely sharing.

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Shangas Donor Pen

Shangas

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Hahaha :) You're welcome. I've actually acquired a sixth one, since posting that picture.

 

Here it is:

 

12289698_1669185906673222_49799497237009

 

The clock didn't come with it. I just threw it in when I was taking the photograph. This box was almost beyond saving, but I managed to salvage it :)

http://www.throughouthistory.com/ - My Blog on History & Antiques

 

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AD64 Rare

AD64

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Hahaha :) You're welcome. I've actually acquired a sixth one, since posting that picture.

 

Here it is:

 

12289698_1669185906673222_49799497237009

 

The clock didn't come with it. I just threw it in when I was taking the photograph. This box was almost beyond saving, but I managed to salvage it :)

 

It's stunning, really a gorgeous piece.

 

Do you use any of them yourself, for writing or traveling?

 

best,

 

AD

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Shangas Donor Pen

Shangas

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I don't use any of the fancier ones just because their construction can be fairly fragile. Writing cases like these are almost IMPOSSIBLE to find in good condition. Almost all of them need repairs of some kind (it can't be helped. It's how they were made 150 years ago). Some of the sturdier ones can still be used on a regular basis, though.

http://www.throughouthistory.com/ - My Blog on History & Antiques

 

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  • 3 weeks later...
furious Mint

furious

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I just purchased my first Victorian writing slope and I can't wait for it to arrive! It comes complete with original ink pots, blotters, and wax seals.

post-113261-0-42335200-1465142694_thumb.png

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post-113261-0-20023500-1465142744_thumb.png

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furious Mint

furious

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That is a really nice writing slope you have furious I hope you will post some better pictures when it arrives.

Thank you! It should arrive this week and I will post more pics then.

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furious Mint

furious

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They're antique inkwells, but they're not the originals.

Interesting. Would the originals have been glass?

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Shangas Donor Pen

Shangas

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The originals would've been square, glass, with brass screw-on caps. they had to be sealed so that they didn't leak in transport. Unfortunately, they are VERY hard to find.

http://www.throughouthistory.com/ - My Blog on History & Antiques

 

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furious Mint

furious

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The originals would've been square, glass, with brass screw-on caps. they had to be sealed so that they didn't leak in transport. Unfortunately, they are VERY hard to find.

 

Thank you. That is good to know. Although I doubt that I will use them, it is nice to know that are not original to the slope.
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my63 Antique

my63

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The white ink wells you have are often referred to as school desk ink wells, they are actually liners and were used in many different ink wells.

Original ink wells for your writing slope are indeed very difficult to find although there are a number of sellers out there with reproductions.

There is an excellent site called Hygra.com where you can find lots of information about writing slopes and boxes.

For more details on my current projects please visit my blog.

 

https://my63leather.wixsite.com/my63

 

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furious Mint

furious

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The white ink wells you have are often referred to as school desk ink wells, they are actually liners and were used in many different ink wells.

Original ink wells for your writing slope are indeed very difficult to find although there are a number of sellers out there with reproductions.

There is an excellent site called Hygra.com where you can find lots of information about writing slopes and boxes.

I have seen a few reproductions and compared with originals there is something lacking. Probably has more to do with patina and quality of the glass.

I will check out that site. Thanks.

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Shangas Donor Pen

Shangas

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There's absolutely nothing wrong with the reproductions, but if you're trying to find Victorian originals, you'll be searching a VERY long time. In nearly 30 years of admiring and collecting writing slopes, I've come across...exactly...THREE...extra ones for boxes. So like I said - not easy.

 

If I were you, I'd take the reproductions and be grateful that someone has them. Otherwise you'd almost certainly never find them.

http://www.throughouthistory.com/ - My Blog on History & Antiques

 

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