[Eliot, George]--

Mid-Victorian, c. 1860s, "Davenport" design in walnut comprising hinged sloping writing surface with original tooled burgundy leather, opening to birds-eye Maple veneered interior with two drawers and two false drawer fronts, the right side fitted with panel opening to four Mahogany-lined drawers, hinged superstructure together with fretted gallery enclosing compartment with recessed spaces for writing equipment, panelled and veneered to reverse, carved cabriole supports, all on a plinth with bun feet and later casters, 900mm. (height) by 556mm. (width) by 555mm. (depth), desktop cracked with loss to leather writing surface, old repairs and loss to fretted gallery, crack to left side panel with loss to panel moulding, some internal cracks, marks and scratches consistent with age and use

Sotheby's, 27 June 1923, lot 633

Condition is described in the main body of the cataloguing, where appropriate.
"In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective, qualified opinion. Prospective buyers should also refer to any Important Notices regarding this sale, which are printed in the Sale Catalogue.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF BUSINESS PRINTED IN THE SALE CATALOGUE."

There is a metal plaque attached to the desktop. This reads 'George Eliot's | Writing Desk'.

This item was sold in these rooms on 27 June 1923 as part of the estate of Gertrude Lewes, widow of Charles Lee Lewes, comprising 'part of the property of George Eliot bequeathed by her to Charles Lee Lewes'. It was bought by the firm of Chas J. Sawyer Limited, Booksellers and Dealers in Literary Property.

Sawyer then sold the writing table to Leonard H. Wells, the manager of the book department, Powers Mercantile Company, Minneapolis. The purchase at auction and sale by Sawyer is declared in a signed oath, included with the property, dated 31 July 1923. Also included with the oath is a black and white photograph of the property from 1923.

The writing table has a deep rich colour and is well-patinated with an untouched surface.

Charles Lee Lewes (1842-1891) was the son of George Henry Lewes. He was married to Gertrude Hill (1837-1923). It was Charles who gave George Eliot away when she married John Walter Cross in 1880. Her diary notes that after the wedding the couple "went back to the Priory, where we signed our wills". The 1923 sale, in these rooms, included "Books, Relics, Manuscripts and Portraits of 'George Eliot'". The books included many presentation copies to Eliot, many books owned by G.H. Lewes, numerous manuscript notebooks and journals, correspondence addressed to G.H. Lewes and a number of 'personal relics'.