The following information was provided by the Manager of Collections for the House of Representatives.  These desks were made in 1873 and lived in the Chamber until 1901.  They were made by Klipper and Webster of Baltimore, MD.  We recently had one restored that was gifted to us in 27 pieces!  They are rare as they seem to be much more delicate than the robust furniture of the Chamber in 1857 (the year they opened the current chamber).  We know of one other Klipper in a public collection and it is in the library at Boston University.   

 

Sincerely,

Karen McKinstry

Manager of Collections

US House of Representatives

Restoration of a Congressional Desk

Congressional Desk restored by Gene McCall July 2009.  Photo from Gene McCall.