"Patent pocket escritoir, Its arrangement and use: [in layout of escritoir] * german silver letter and coin balance penholder. For 100 Postage stamps. 9 Steel Pens. 50 Gum Wafers and India-rubber. Inkstand. *By Sliding out the pen and drawing up the top the penholder is made 41/2 in. long,-a convenient length for writing. 2 Wax Tapers and Taper Stand. 3 Sticks of Sealing Wax and 12in. Measur-ing Tape, with plan and chequered Seal. 50 Promehteans. Observe-The cap over the prometheans serves as a stand for them, when lighted, by press-ing them into the aper-ture upon the edge, and each one will burn whilst 3 or 4 letters may be sealed"--Printed description card accompanying items, as issued.
Library's copy Includes: John Sheldon's Escritoir almanack for 1845, papier absorbant, 23 wax lights, inkstand, 2 sealing wax, 12-inch measuring tape, wax taper with stand, penholder with letter balance, and 5 steel pens.
Burgundy leather stamped in gilt and housed in original decorated slipcase.
John Sheldon's patent escritoir [sic]
Pocket escritoire with various pieces to be used as a pocket-sized writing desk. Originally issued with up to 50 sheets of paper and envelopes, an almanac, blotting card, memo pad, wax lights, inkstand, sealing wax, 12-inch measuring tape, wax tapers, penholder with letter balance, steel pens, India rubber and wafers. Originally sold for 7s to 10s in 1843.