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Writing boxes or slopes

 Before purchasing from us or any other dealer we would advise you to take note of the following;

It is very easy when buying a writing boxes to get caught and buy one which shall we say has been`enchanced`by an unscrupulous indervidual.In our opinion it is imperative that a writing box has its original leaves.A lot have later replacements after being lost or damaged.

The detail,on the right,shows the interior of a writing box with the original front leaf folded down,this shows that it is made out of three pieces of timber,a strip on both the left and right hand sides with their grain running at right angles to the main leaf.

This practice can be seen used in 18th and 19th century English furniture where a large expanse of unfixed timber is needed (the fall of the bureau for instance)

The two small strips stop the large piece from warping or twisting due to changes in the atmosphere.

It is amazing how many dealers and collectors do not know this  and in 99

 out of 100 boxes,if the leaves are not made out of three pieces of wood they are wrong and a later replacement.

The next time you are in a shop, fair,centre or auction you will be amazed how many writing boxes have the wrong interiors.They may look reasonably priced but are virtually worthless,always insist on a receipt detailing any restorations,any dealer worth his salt will only be to please to give you one,do not ask for this type of receipt from a auction house as the reply may offend!

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