Charlie made this lap desk to sit on the Civil War campaign table, which he made years ago. The desk is modeled after the Jefferson lap desk but he made it his own, with many secret drawers and compartments. The inlaid quill pens use wood from a purple beech planted by Teddy Roosevelt at Sagamore hill. The inkwells are bogwood from Ireland, and walnut from a friend’s farm. With all its intricate workings and handcrafted details, this desk took Charlie about two years to make, working as time allowed.

SAPELE, CHERRY, AND WALNUT, WITH SAPELE, CURLY MAPLE, AND CHERRY VENEERS AND HOLLY, WALNUT, AND MAPLE INLAY 17D X 24W X 7-1/2H (REAR)

– Charles James, Williston Park, N.Y.

From Fine Woodworking #291

Launch Gallery