The beauty of a lap top is its portability – you can deal with your letter writing, bill paying, catalogue browsing, present ordering and accounting duties in whichever cosy corner you choose.
getcontrol.co
The Victorians did the same thing – they created portable desks called writing slopes. Actually, they had several models to choose from with a variety of names: writing boxes, lap desks, writing slopes, dispatch boxes or cases, portable or travelling writing desks, or simply boxes. I like lap desk best.
Illustration by Thackeray for his novel Vanity Fair
Portable writing desks were not a new thing – Medieval monks used them as did Tudor administrators and Regency dandies. However, in the 1830s they became increasingly affordable to the growing, and increasingly literate, Victorian middle class consumer. That’s a good thing for us because there are lots still available and many in good condition.
I have one like this.
It’s a straight forward box with sections for inks and pens, a leather surface for writing on and secret compartments. At a time when homes were run by servants a key was essential for keeping those love letters private.
I’ve had mine a very long time and it is stuffed with old letters and mementos.
A proper writing slope however is pretty cool and does what it says it does,
it is a box which, when opened up. provides a comfortable sloped surface to write on. Maybe not as slim as a modern laptop but very pleasing to use. Some up market versions were beautifully inlaid like this ladies slope.
desk.uk.com
Some were more manly, covered in tooled leather.
http://antheasattic.com
Some as just beautiful objects in themselves – like this rather posh one.
davidwolfendenantiques.com
Any one of the above would make a wonderful Christmas present – for yourself maybe?
