Why Leather Writing Surface On Antique Desk?

[markh]

I've been looking at possibly getting an antique drop-down desk - the kind where the desk lowers to a flat working surface. Also called a "fall front" desk. Probably from about the 1930s.

 

The writing surface has a leather covering in nice shape.

 

I understand why people might cover the surface in a blotter, but I don't get the purpose of leather. Obviously its softer than plain wood, but does this give a better writing surface??

 

 

thnx,

 

 

.

[Blade Runner]

yes

[Randal6393]

The leather surfaces are to look pretty. Yeah, they do soften the surface some. But most writers put a few sheets of paper down to write on.

 

Later on, the blotter came into use and desk surfaces became varnished or finished in some other form. Still, the decorated leather surface is often seen to this day. My wife has a lovely little quarter-moon shaped desk with a leather surface, complete with gold trim. She wrote many letters at that desk. Unfortunately computer desks are more in use these days.

 

Enjoy,

[Fabienne]

I have an antique desk. It had a felt top on the writing surface. It was awful, far to soft, all pens would perforate the surface. I think it was there because there was leather on there before an it was replaced with a cheaper substance. I love the give of a leather surface and decided to finally refinish the writing surface, I am so glad I did. Now I write there! It is a dream. I do have to put something down so I know I won't stain the leather with my ink.

[jabberwock11]

I have an antique desk. It had a felt top on the writing surface. It was awful, far to soft, all pens would perforate the surface. I think it was there because there was leather on there before an it was replaced with a cheaper substance. I love the give of a leather surface and decided to finally refinish the writing surface, I am so glad I did. Now I write there! It is a dream. I do have to put something down so I know I won't stain the leather with my ink.

Felt is common on antique lap desks and writing slopes. It is used because dip pens do better with a softer substrate. Although a few sheets of paper can provide a bit of cushion the felt underneath makes writing (especially Spencerian or other ornamental handwriting forms) far more fluid. Extremely flexible steel pens (a.k.a. dip pen nibs) are easier to control and write better on softer surfaces.

 

This is also why (beyond decoration) the leather is there, although the leather does not provide quite as soft a surface as felt.

[Brianm_14]

My understanding is that plain wood was likely to become marred and scratched over time, creating tiny grooves and a slightly irregular surface that came through the paper and affected the nibs movement. Leather was more durable and scratch-resistant, and in days of much cheaper labor and naterials, could be easily replaced compared to sanding and refinishing the wood. Leather was perhaps a less luxurious item in other times, as well, compared to today. E.g., If you were relatively well-off, even a member of the then-smaller middle class, you likely could afford one or more servants in such an economy. If you were of a lower economic station, you had less opportunity and need to write; indeed you might read, but not write much more than your signature. Reading and writing were not seen nor taught as two sides of the same coin. The exceptions would be clerks and scriveners.

 

leather provided a slight "give" conducive to producing a clear graceful hand with dip pen. Today, many (myself included) still have a blotter with a firm, split leather surface. If I need to firm up the slightly giving surface, a few sheets of 28# or 32# paper does the trick nicely

 

Leather also is nice to have as a work surfacefor other clerical tasks.

 

If you used a sloped writing surface (a real comfort and an aid to clear hand) as many calligraphers suggest and was common for many hundreds of years, a wood surface is standard, but always used with several sheets of heavier paper as I understand. Replacing it in case of damage was cheaper than dealing with the top of an entire desk.

[fabri00]

We use in Europe still a leather pad in every desk of valuable offices, to write on paper.

It is also a typical present for the openning of a new office, for degrees at university, and so on.

There are nice sets with pen holders, small boxes for small stationeries with same design and leater,

See for example:

 

http://www.amazon.it/dp/B00F36QKM8/ref=asc_df_B00F36QKM831153699/?tag=googshopit-21&creative=23394&creativeASIN=B00F36QKM8&linkCode=df0&hvdev=c&hvnetw=g&hvqmt=

 

http://www.speedyufficio.it/set-da-scrivania/9937-361278-9018206028736.html?gclid=CjwKEAiAk7O0BRD9_Ka2w_PhwSkSJAAmKswxdKkua8yokwd8bzdRLOwmqINDMJZhplDuN71SXThfTBoClDTw_wcB

 

The leather of those pads is not too soft and not too hard, and it is ideal for handwriting.

[WhiteStarPens]

I have two of these desks, the design is called called the bureau (Plural: Bureaux). One of them is an heirloom from the 1820's, its been in the family since time in memorial; my great grandmother remembers it in her childhood as her grandfather's! My other is from about 1900.

They are lovely pieces of furniture, great to write at and fold away.

 

I believe the leather was to prevent damage to a veneered surface. The leather is softer than the easily scratched wooden alternative and easier to replace if needs be, they were made in a time when craftsmanship was easier to find. I think that the smooth and even surface aided the use of dip pens too.

 

Kind regards.

Edited January 6, 2016 by WhiteStarPens

[Goudy]

Felt is common on antique lap desks and writing slopes. It is used because dip pens do better with a softer substrate. Although a few sheets of paper can provide a bit of cushion the felt underneath makes writing (especially Spencerian or other ornamental handwriting forms) far more fluid. Extremely flexible steel pens (a.k.a. dip pen nibs) are easier to control and write better on softer surfaces.

This is also why (beyond decoration) the leather is there, although the leather does not provide quite as soft a surface as felt.

I have an antique writing slope that was refurbished with a felt surface. I'm fairly certain it would have been leather originally like all the similar ones I've seen. It occurred to me as I was carrying it home that the felt might be difficult to write on, but actually it's a very nice experience, particularly with flex pens where a light touch is needed. The felt also provides a bit of friction to keep the paper from moving on the slope, as it would on a polished wood surface. Presumably the leather also served that purpose.

 

I'm not sure I'd recommend felt, though, if you write with a heavy hand, or use a biro.

Edited January 7, 2016 by Goudy

[Goudy]

I've just got hold of another writing slope. This one is unrestored (apart from a hinge that has been replaced at some point) and has what I assume is the original red felt surface. The material is quite thin, and has worn through in a few places. It makes an excellent writing surface, in my opinion - better than the thicker modern green felt of my refurbished slope.

 

http://i.imgur.com/7uNRXLf.jpg

 

http://i.imgur.com/2q0jili.jpg

[Keyless Works]

I have a lacquer desk and I use a leather pad to protect the desk. If you have a wood desk it's a good idea to use some kind of padding as wood can be quite soft. The only desk that I felt comfortable writing on without padding was a glass desk.

[fabri00]

I have a lacquer desk and I use a leather pad to protect the desk. If you have a wood desk it's a good idea to use some kind of padding as wood can be quite soft. The only desk that I felt comfortable writing on without padding was a glass desk.

I have a glass desk at office, but if I have to write on a single page standing on my desk, is a very bad feeling for me.

Even ballpen writes thin and not nicely.

I always have something between the glass surface and a single page.

[markh]

Well, I got the antique desk. I know how to care for the wood. Any suggestions as to how to treat/preserve the leather part of the desk??

 

 

thnx

.

[dogpoet]

I have a lacquer desk and I use a leather pad to protect the desk. If you have a wood desk it's a good idea to use some kind of padding as wood can be quite soft. The only desk that I felt comfortable writing on without padding was a glass desk.

 

Just remember the state of some of the wooden topped desks you were writing on when you were in school: that wasn't all down to people having cut graffitti into the surface with a compass point...

[zwack]

Well, I got the antique desk. I know how to care for the wood. Any suggestions as to how to treat/preserve the leather part of the desk??

 

 

thnx

.

 

 

That depends on the leather...

 

Presumably it is veg tanned leather (not chrome tanned, and I'm not going to suggest you look)... What sort of condition is it in? Is it clean? Smooth? Not torn?

 

If it is currently in decent condition then I would leave it. You can get specialist cleaners but be careful you don't want to damage the leather. As you are going to put paper on it you probably don't want to use an oil or wax based product.

 

Unfortunately I tend to work with leather that is not in this position so my normal suggestions will be all wrong for your desk.

[lindaburns]

Hello,

Yes, leather covering gives a nice surface for writing. One of my friends bought a traditional desk. It is not leather covered though, you can check it out here for more details. It gives a nice traditional look and a smooth surface for writing.

[ParramattaPaul]

A thought: most comments suggest that the leather surface being there to soften the writing surface, but could it not have been there to prevent the paper from moving or sliding whilst writing on it? Leather, like felt would have more 'grip' than a polished wooden surface.

[my63]

These pieces of thin cut leather are called skivers generally they are made from goat skin although other leather is used depending on the size required. the leather should be very thin less than 0.5 mm and will give a firm writing surface.

I would suggest some sort of wax I would recommend a carnauba wax which is very good for leather Fiebings is available on Amazon in most counties apply it sparingly.

Where velvet is used it is a very short pile and will also give a firm writing surface.

 

Michael

[Bo Bo Olson]

I let a good writing slope get away...not brave enough with my bidding at a live auction. The ones seen later were no where in that class.

I was spoiled some fella here showed off a full complete writing slope he won or bought somewhere...and I let that influence me too much.

 

Thanks for the info about felt instead of leather....will investigate more...and put felt on my heroine's desk instead of the leather pad.

In 1894-5 Montgomery Ward the writing 'desk's or slopes were finished with flannel. (the page with the writing pads was never printed in the replica. The two of 10 or so regular desks were covered with a covered with cloth or imitation leather.

1902 Sears had a real nice writing velvet lined slope for 75 cents.

 

Grumble Sears didn't have writing pads either....

[my63]

I don't want to appear rude but I have never seen an original writing slope with felt as a cover for the writing area as it is made of compressed fibres it would be quite springy. Baize however was used for many years it is a tightly woven fabric used for snooker and card tables it was also used to cover the bottom of many writing slopes.

Michael