A GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE ARCHITECT'S DESK

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Details

A GEORGE III MAHOGANY KNEEHOLE ARCHITECT'S DESK
The rounded rectangular hinged caddy top with later brass adjustable candle-slides above a fitted frieze drawer with leather-lined slide with hinged book-rest above a pair of metal lopers and a pair of doors each enclosing three drawers centred by a fitted kneehole drawer above three further recessed kneehole drawers, on bracket feet with later countersunk brass castors, the sides with carrying-handles, with billing swans with brass screw handles to fix the angle of the slope, the metalwork original, with panelled reverse
31 in. (79 cm.) high; 32¼ in. (82 cm.) wide; 23½ in. (59.5 cm.) deep

Provenance

By repute, the property of a former Governor of Reading Gaol, possibly George Ernest Eastaff, Governor circa 1809-1820.
Anonymous sale, in these Rooms, 11 July 1974, lot 111 (1,150 gns).

Special notice

No VAT will be charged on the hammer price, but VAT at 17.5% will be added to the buyer's premium which is invoiced on a VAT inclusive basis.

Lot Essay

This lot is sold with a ledger of Executions at the gaol from March 20th 1742 to March 20th 1846 and with various documents dating from the first quarter 19th Century, including a letter, dated July 15th 1809 to George Ernest Eastaff, Keeper of the Gaol, Reading.

Reading Gaol was made famous by Oscar Wilde (1854-1900) who served there from 1895 where he wrote a long letter to his lover Lord Alfred 'Bosie' Douglas, son of the Marquess of Queensberry, later published as De Profundis. Wilde was released in 1897 and in 1898 published The Ballad of Reading Gaol, revealing his concern for inhumane prison conditions.

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