The Original Laptop Computer...

[Shangas]

Hey guys. I know I haven't posted here in yonks of donks, so I thought I'd say that I'm back from a three-week vacation to Asia and Europe and that I brought back lots of penny stuff. Four fountain pens, and something extra super-duppydospecialtiastiordinary. This:




I know it looks butt-ugly, boring and incredibly plain, but this box is something I've wanted since the age of six (and I'm 24 now). I've been after one of these boxes for nearly twenty years and I finally have one. They are notoriously hard to find in good condition and the ones that are in good condition are either selling for thousands of dollars, or they're in museums. This one was neither going for thousands or in a museum. What is it?

The Victorian equvalient to a laptop computer, an iPad, a Blackberry or an Apple MacBook. An original antique writing-case...





With the exception of the dip-pen in the sleeve on the right, which belongs to me (second from the top on the right of the box-lid), everything in this box is original.

[Lion]

Shahan, very interesting!!!

[gelshocker]

Since the age of six? Wow that must've been an unorthodox childhood! That box looks amazing, great find.

[Shangas]

*Holds up hands*

I am ashamed of nothing! I have been an...antiquiphile...ever since I could walk down to the local antiques shop and drool at the stuff behind the windows. I'm obsessed with history and the past. I can't help it. So yes, I have wanted a writing box ever since I was six. I just think they're awesome. And since this sub-forum is about writing instruments, I thought you folks would get a kick out of it.

The ivory accessories are a paper-folder (long, thin one), a paperknife (long, flat one) and a parchment-scraper, for removing ink (the little, spear-shaped knife).

[dddrees]

I think that looks cool. Its always great to get one's grail whatever that may be. Huge Congrats!!!!

[GeoGio Greece]

Its great to have a wish / dream become true. Congrats. Enjoy !

On the other hand, being interested in history, you should mention the periods that have interest to you, as history goes back quite a lot before this "laptop".

And I say that, remembering a humoristic comment done to me once in the US, " We Americans believe that 150 years back is history while you Europeans believe that 150 miles is a long distance".

[BarkMaster]

Very interesting and thanks for sharing!

[gelshocker]

Originally Posted by Shangas

The ivory accessories are a paper-folder (long, thin one), a paperknife (long, flat one) and a parchment-scraper, for removing ink (the little, spear-shaped knife).

The more I see those pics the more fascinated I am. I can only imagine how personalized each letter/memo was, or how organized the original owner must've been. It sure beats a word-processor printing in soulless arial font.

Does any company make contempory versions of this writing box, to compliment us fountain pens owners? I say this because, I'd admit, I'm always rummaging hotel rooms for their writing pads - those folder lovelies with A4 paper, envelopes, memo sheets etc! LOL

As Obiwan would say, 'from a more civilized era'. Brilliant post thanks for sharing again.

[Shangas]

I tried replying to this damn thing earlier and it didn't work. So I'll make this brief.

George, I'm interested in several areas and periods of history ranging from Medieval to the first half of the 20th century (nothing beyond the 1950s)

Barkie, you're welcome. Happy to answer any questions you have.

Gelshocker, Yes, there was a time where letter-writing was considered a real and proper art, unlike today. To answer your question, writing boxes such as mine are long gone. You cannot buy them brand-new anymore unless you actually PAY someone to make one for you, or make it yourself. There are writing pads, trays, folders etc, made by various companies, but actual writing CASES or BOXES like mine must either be made from scratch or are only found in antiques shops, museums or at flea-markets. Most of them have been reduced to empty boxes with their interiors ripped out, and any of the really nice ones in anywhere near to, or past the condition that mine is in, are either selling for fortunes or are locked in museums.

[m5blitzer]

What a find must it have been for you. WoW!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Shangas

....George, I'm interested in several areas and periods of history ranging from Medieval to the first half of the 20th century (nothing beyond the 1950s)...

Thank you for the response ! I also had a look at your site. Very interesting. I will spend more time reading it.

Now, your love for "old" items is fully explained and understood ! Keep up the good work. Congrats again !!

Note : I have an old "secretaire" furniture, which incorporates the "box". I do not know if it is allowed to post a photo, but it is a small "desk", 50 cm wide, with the small drawers for the pads, pens, inks, with a sliding shelve as the writing surface and a sliding top to close when not in use. Its not an antique, but its is older than me ! ( I am 57).

When at school, elementary that was, I recall that our desks, made around the fifties, had a drilled hole, where the ink holder would fit, as even in my times still, some students had "pens" that were immersed in the ink to write a few words and then again they would re-immerse to keep writing. And with the absorbing paper, we would suck the extra ink so no spots were made. What a story ! I think I am VERY old !!! Almost ancient

[Shangas]

Yes, school desks with inkwell-holes and blotting-paper. I've heard stories from older friends who told me that when they were at school, one favourite pasttime was to load up their fountain pens with ink and have "ink wars", shooting ink at each other.

So far, I have stocked the box with some paper, two dip-pens, some sealing-wax, a selection of nibs and reservoirs and I'm currently on the hunt for a new inkwell insert. The original one is missing and was probably lost or broken sometime in the last 120 years...

[rpryan55]

What a wonderful find! I just love stuff like this - well done!

[Bisquitlips]

Nice lap desk!

I have one in oak and love it.

[Lol-x]

Very interesting, thanks for sharing

You can't pick those up every day of the week

[Shangas]

My hunt for an inkwell insert ended today with the discovery of a perfect replacement!

Believe it or not, it turned out to be a miniscule jar of cream from The Body Shop. My mother uses it for...something...and the jar was empty, so I cleaned it out and popped it in. This is what it looks like:

[Lion]

Shahan, looks like you are all set and you didn't even have to use up the hand cream which came in the jar!!!

[GeoGio Greece]

Originally Posted by Shangas

My hunt for an inkwell insert ended today with the discovery of a perfect replacement!

Believe it or not, it turned out to be a miniscule jar of cream from The Body Shop. My mother uses it for...something...and the jar was empty, so I cleaned it out and popped it in. This is what it looks like:

Congrats !

[Shangas]

Thanks guys. Here's a little artsy black-and-white sepia shot...

[tkc324]

Looks really cool~~~ Great find!

[Lion]

Shahan, very nice.....

[Zed Homme]

Fascinating. I must admit, I've never seen one before. Was this setup common for travel, or used in the home/office as well? Great find!

[Shangas]

These were called writing boxes or writing cases. They were an office in a box. You carried them when you went travelling. If you were on an ocean-liner, you brought it with you. If you were on a train, you took it with you. If you were at your hotel you took it with you.

These were meant to hold everything that you needed for writing and correspondence. Papers, inks, pens, nibs, sealing-wax, matches...everything. That's why I call them Victorian-era laptops.

Unfortunately, fine examples such as mine are VERY rare these days. The really really nice ones are in museums behind bulletproof glass. Those which are for sale are for sale for HUUUUUGE sums of money. The others are the smaller, simpler boxes whch have all been broken up and smashed or which have lost their insides and have been repurposed.

It's because of that, I never expected to own one of these. And I've lusted after one ever since I was a kid. They were just too expensive, since the ones that survive are just too rare to sell or too expensive for a peasant like me to own. So when I saw this one at the price it was...I jumped!

[Zed Homme]

Originally Posted by Shangas

These were called writing boxes or writing cases. They were an office in a box. You carried them when you went travelling. If you were on an ocean-liner, you brought it with you. If you were on a train, you took it with you. If you were at your hotel you took it with you.

These were meant to hold everything that you needed for writing and correspondence. Papers, inks, pens, nibs, sealing-wax, matches...everything. That's why I call them Victorian-era laptops.

Unfortunately, fine examples such as mine are VERY rare these days. The really really nice ones are in museums behind bulletproof glass. Those which are for sale are for sale for HUUUUUGE sums of money. The others are the smaller, simpler boxes whch have all been broken up and smashed or which have lost their insides and have been repurposed.

It's because of that, I never expected to own one of these. And I've lusted after one ever since I was a kid. They were just too expensive, since the ones that survive are just too rare to sell or too expensive for a peasant like me to own. So when I saw this one at the price it was...I jumped!

Fascinating. Meanwhile, I've perfected the art of traveling without a carryon bag. I can get a clean shirt and essentials in a larger briefcase. The times sure have changed. Thanks for sharing, it has been truly enlightening...

[nolawis]

Great box!

[Frogman4me]

very cool! congrats on finally getting one

[Shangas]

Thanks, guys. Still enjoying it very much.

Also, I know a few of you chaps showed up at the 2010 Melbourne Pen Show (and it was very nice to meet you). If you show up at the 2011 show...me and my box will be there as one of the displays.

[Lion]

Shahan, when is your Melbourne Pen Show this year? Sounds like it should be a lot of fun. I will be attending the Chicago Pen Show in May and working for a great lady assisting her at her booth in selling pens!!!

[Shangas]

Hi Leo.

As yet, there is no date for the show, but I understand that there will be a 2011 Show. It usually happens in the October/November part of the year.