Desk Eight Found, History Lost

The !880 replica desk marked eight was apparently unknown to previous researchers and has now twice sold at auction, first in 2012 and the second time in 2019. The location or history of this desk is not known to this researcher. It appears to have a photographic reproduction affixed to the carcass in the typical place.

Previous researchers have suggested that Henry F. French's friend and neighbor Massachusetts Politician George Frisbie Hoar, was among the original owners of replicas. Although there are other possibilities, due to both these auctions taking place in the Boston area, near Concord where Hoar was a lifelong resident and his relationship to Henry F. French this could be Hoar's desk that was last known to exist in 1955 of which the trace has since been lost. Plus I wanted to use his picture.

Hoar's first cousin was William Maxwell Evarts the Secretary of State who in 1880 presented two other desks, number three to Robert C. Winthrop and an "unmarked" replica to Virginia politician John Randolph Tucker, so it is plausible Hoar was given a duplicate by one of his friends. Tuckers' would be more likely to surface in Virginia or possibly the Miami area.

But tying Hoar to this desk is conjecture of the author, the following listings and photos is this extent of what is known regarding this desk.

Sold eBay 2012 $786.61

“In 1880 The United States of America Congress was gifted the original Thomas Jefferson Writing Desk in which the Declaration Of Independence was drafted on. President Rutherford Hayes had the United States Treasury Department cabinet shop build approximately ten identical Writing Desks. He then gifted them to various Political figures. It is unknown how many still exist. There is no history of any ever sold. They were marked with Roman Numerals.This desk is one of them and it's number VIII (8). It has been shown to the Smithsonian and they have verified its authenticity. They also have expressed their interest in acquiring this desk. This historical piece should find its home displaying one of the original copies of The Declaration Of Independence. Serious Inquiries Only.”

DESCRIPTION

19th/20th c., a nice mahogany replica of the portable desk Thomas Jefferson designed and then used while writing the Declaration of Independence, with hinged top opening to felt lined writing board, second level of hinged interior with folding easel and opens to a copy of the note from Jefferson gifting a replica of the desk to Joseph Coolidge in 1825, inlaid escutcheon and stringing to drawer front, brass hardware, drawer fitted with dividers, incised "VIII" to underside, 3.25"h x 10"w x 14.5"d