The Nathan Sharples Black Walnut Desk and Later Bookcase, Southeastern Pennsylvania, Circa 1740

The desk side bears a brass plate inscribed, "Nathan Sharples 1715 1755," and drawer interior with hand-written note, "Desk Story/ I give to my son William my Black Walnut desk 1755 5 Mo. 10th/ Nathan Sharples/ Appraisement of William Sharpless $8 Desk 1817 11mo. 24/ Desk was at Homestead until 1884 / when it was sent by Philip P. Sharples to Nathan N. Sharples Phila./ At his death in 1903-7-8 it was returned by his/ widow Fanny White Sharpless to the Homestead./ Bookcase was added by William Sharpless (1715-1817)/ A.D., Sharpless."; the bookcase bears a brass plate inscribed, "Martha Sharples 1783-1852."

H: 43 in. W: 39 in. D: 22 3/4 in. (desk only), H: 44 1/2 in. W: 38 1/2 in. D: 12 1/2 in. (bookcase only)

This lot is located in Philadelphia.

Provenance:

Nathan Sharples (1715-1755), to his son

William Sharples (1752-1817), to his son Nathan Hunt Sharples (1779-1838), to his son Philip Price Sharples (1810-1903).

The desk remained in the Sharples Homestead in West Chester until the 1980's.

Note:

The will of Nathan Sharpless (1715-1755) of Goshen, Chester County, Pennsylvania, bequested this desk, along with his silver watch, to his son, William (1752-1817). William later built the Sharples Homestead at 22 Dean Street, West Chester. The house is listed on the National Register of Historic Places.

This lot is accompanied by a period 2 ft. long wood ruler, found inside the desk, which may have been used by the Sharples Family.