John Sheldon's Patent Pocket Escritoir 1853

A rare leather cased metal Patent Pocket Escritoir, the tooled burgundy leather case with gilt lettering and the Royal Coat of Arms, a further outer case also with tooled decoration and a separate wallet containing original embossed notepaper and envelopes, held together by a sprung strap (a/f). The interior lid with applied Sheldon Escritoir Almanack for 1853. The fitted interior with folding Inkstand and wax light (promethean) containers, a folding taper stick (and spare), a hinged central compartment with applied label containing sealing wax and a Sheldon's 12 inch measuring tape with plain and chequered seal, with further apertures for postage stamps, pens, gum or other wafer seals and the original Sheldon's German Silver combined Dip Pen / sprung coin and letter scale. Complete with original Blotting Card and instructions leaflet.

Sheldon described this pocket Writing Desk in his adverts as ""The Cabinet of the Million and Wonder of the Age"". It contained all the essentials for writing and could be easily transported in a gentleman's pocket or a ladies handbag.

Sheldon registered the original design for the Patent Pocket Escritoir on 16th November 1843. Registered Design Number:66. This example dates from 1853.

The enclosed instructions include a diagram of the arrangement and list of contents as follows:-
German Silver Letter and Coin Balance Penholder.
Postage Stamps. Steel Pens. Gum Wafers and India Rubber.Inkstand. Wax Tapers and Taper Stand. Sticks of Sealing Wax and 12in Measuring Tape with plain and chequered Seal and Prometheans. There are three additional contemporary screw-top bone spare lead holders added to this example.

By John Sheldon, Birmingham, 1853

Sold - £1,350.00