# When is a breakfast table like a writing desk?  (Question re: antique desk)

**URL:** <https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-breakfast-table-like-a-writing-desk-question-re-antique-desk/671552>\
**Category:** Cafe Society\
**Created:** [October 18, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-breakfast-table-like-a-writing-desk-question-re-antique-desk/671552 "2013-10-18T03:33:11Z")\
**Posts on this page:** 3\
**Page:** 1

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**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\
**Post date:** [October 18, 2013, 3:33am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-breakfast-table-like-a-writing-desk-question-re-antique-desk/671552/1 "2013-10-18T03:33:11Z")

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I came across this antique (or maybe slightly newer) table/desk thing. I don’t even know what to call it. It’s a breakfast-table-ish sized table with a drawer-like slide-out thing that unfolds in half on an angle to make a felt covered, slanted writing desk.

Can anyone tell me what it is called? What it might be worth? (If anything.)

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**Author:** ![NoCoolUserName](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/n/5fc32e/32.png) [@NoCoolUserName](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/NoCoolUserName)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-breakfast-table-like-a-writing-desk-question-re-antique-desk/671552/2 "2013-10-26T14:42:49Z")

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Additional details: I’ve been told (by someone who claims to know) that it’s a late 1800s “travel desk”–something a cavalry officer might have. The slide-out section has a flip-up bit with storage for paper and such underneath.

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**Author:** ![Musicat](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/musicat/32/20189_2.png) [@Musicat](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Musicat)\
**Post date:** [October 26, 2013, 2:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/when-is-a-breakfast-table-like-a-writing-desk-question-re-antique-desk/671552/3 "2013-10-26T14:59:49Z")

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A picture is worth a thousand desks. It sounds like a ship’s desk, similar to one I have from that era.