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<p>[QUOTE="Bronwen, post: 289335, member: 5833"]I was assuming it was something in the lap desk/writing slope/portable secretary family, but like you, can't see how it would have been used in that way: compartments wrong shapes/sizes for pens, ink bottles, blotters or any of the things necessary for doing correspondence other than a compartment that could hold writing tablets or stationery. I see no way to create a writing surface with it. Definitely meant to be part of a gentleman's traveling gear. Hidden compartment suggests need to protect military or business secrets. The moving parts seem to have fittings to hold them in place more securely than usually seen with ordinary writing slopes. Whole thing seems very well made & wood is beautiful. Surprised the plate on the lid was never engraved; think it would have been if purpose-built for a specific individual. But what in the world is the purpose of those fold out metal grills that look like cooling racks for baked goods?</p><p><br /></p><p>Craig, how does the knob in the middle of the bottom part release the compartment with the racks in the lid? Isn't that what the smaller knob on that side is for? Aren't the large knob in the bottom & the plate around it blocking the lid on the little compartment? I feel there may yet be more to this box still to be discovered.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>
[QUOTE="Bronwen, post: 289335, member: 5833"]I was assuming it was something in the lap desk/writing slope/portable secretary family, but like you, can't see how it would have been used in that way: compartments wrong shapes/sizes for pens, ink bottles, blotters or any of the things necessary for doing correspondence other than a compartment that could hold writing tablets or stationery. I see no way to create a writing surface with it. Definitely meant to be part of a gentleman's traveling gear. Hidden compartment suggests need to protect military or business secrets. The moving parts seem to have fittings to hold them in place more securely than usually seen with ordinary writing slopes. Whole thing seems very well made & wood is beautiful. Surprised the plate on the lid was never engraved; think it would have been if purpose-built for a specific individual. But what in the world is the purpose of those fold out metal grills that look like cooling racks for baked goods? Craig, how does the knob in the middle of the bottom part release the compartment with the racks in the lid? Isn't that what the smaller knob on that side is for? Aren't the large knob in the bottom & the plate around it blocking the lid on the little compartment? I feel there may yet be more to this box still to be discovered.[/QUOTE]
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