This is a very good example of the Hathaway patent writing kit, or “writing desk,” with a crisp Dec. 24, 1861, patent stamp and its scarce, specific, patented ink well in place. Writing kits were popular gifts to soldiers, partly to supply the latest convenience to make soldier life easier, and no less to encourage them to write home. Hathaway’s is one of the popular wartime kits, consisting of a tin tube open along one long side to store pens, inkwell, paper and envelopes. This is closed and made waterproof by wrapping around it an attached oil cloth, on which are mounted nine wood slats that can be unrolled flat and secured to make a firm writing surface by pivoting a narrow wood bar to lock under two brass brackets.

This example includes the scarce patented inkwell that uses a glass body with a pewter screw top that has a rotating cover to open a small hole for dipping one’s pen and closes it to prevent leaks. These are usually missing, often replaced with something else, and almost impossible to find on their own. With these are four other items: a period pen, lacking its nib; a letter from a soldier in 117^th New York dated November 1862, one-page, ink, front and back, with tape repairs and lacking the signature page; a Madison, NY, Carte-de-visite photograph of a young soldier in a mounted services jacket; and, a post-Civil War eagle button with a Waterbury Button Co. backmark. These last four items were certainly added by a collector for display, but we include them as they came to us.

This is a very good example showing just some minor rubs and one chip to the wood slats, with a clear maker marking and its correct, scarce inkwell. It displays very nicely and would make a good addition to a display of a soldier’s personal effects or writing and camp gear specifically.  [sr] [ph:m]

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