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31
Dec 2022
Rare fold-out desk to be auctioned by Ripon firm
A rare Victorian walnut desk made in Yorkshire is being offered for sale by the Ripon auction house Elstob & Elstob.
The desk is essentially a self-contained office, with an array of drawers and pigeonholes, revealed when the piece unfolds on its hinges, and is based on a style made famous by the North American Wooton Desk Manufacturing Company (1874-1890) of Indiana.
Made by renowned Halifax cabinetmakers T Simpson & Son in 1870, the ‘Wooton’ desk carries a guide price of £1,000 to £1,500 and is part of Elstob & Elstob’s online Antiques Sale that runs until Sunday, January 8.
The brass maker's label showing the desk to have been made by T Simpson & Son of Halifax.
Auctioneer David Elstob said:
He added:
Thomas Simpson & Sons was one of the largest and most prestigious furniture makers in the north of England, its origins dating back as far as 1798. In its Victorian heyday, the business had a grand showroom in Silver Street in Halifax, as well as a steam cabinet works in Corporation Street, which contained the steam-powered machinery used to manufacture its trademark pieces of furniture.
A T Simpson & Son invoice header from 1884, showing the company's various premises.
This particular desk has a gilt-tooled leather-lined hinged and ratcheted top above a swing-out front that opens to reveal multiple drawers and pigeonholes. The writing surface, with leather skiver, can be lifted at the back and set at various fixed angles. On the top of the cabinet under the lid is the stamped metal maker’s plate ‘T Simpson and Son, Steam Cabinet Makers’.
Mr Elstob said:
Bidding is now open on the sale, which contains a large range of furniture, ceramics, glassware, wines and spirits, and Chinese works of art. All items in the sale can be viewed online at www.elstobandelstob.co.uk as well as in person at the saleroom on Friday, January 6 between 10am and 4pm.
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