English Brass-Bound Walnut Travel Desk/ Writing Slope

Lot description

English brass-bound walnut writing slope/ travel desk, late 19th c., mounted with brass banding and central cartouche, opening to paneled writing surface, leather bound with gilt embossing, above storage tray including two inkwells and writing implements, over five letter slots, cartouche inscribed "To Mr A Bishop a token of love and esteem from members of St James Band of Hope, Bermondsey, friends and fellow helpers, August 1898," includes Band of Hope temperance merit medal, approx 7"h, 15.5"w, 9.75"d, 10lbs Note: the Band of Hope Union was founded in 1855 at the suggestion of the 'Reverend Jabez Tunnicliff' an advocate for total abstinence from alcohol