Feb 2, 2009: Resolute Desk

[glatt]

If you look closely at the bottom of the Resolute desk, you can see that they added about 3 inches to it to raise it up higher. During the Kennedy years, that spacer was primitive looking and all black. Today it closely matches the rest of the desk in color. (See the actual IOTD above.)

[Nagirroc]

The desk in this photo is a copy of the original. The original was deemed too valuable for everyday use. So there was a copy made by a cabinet maker in Bucks County Pa. I can't recall his name at this moment, but he made gifts for President Carter to give to foreign dignitaries also. I'll look up his name and get back to you.

[glatt]

Well, there are duplicates of this desk made for presidential libraries. Is that what you are thinking of?

[Coign]

Originally Posted by glatt

If you look closely at the bottom of the Resolute desk, you can see that they added about 3 inches to it to raise it up higher. During the Kennedy years, that spacer was primitive looking and all black. Today it closely matches the rest of the desk in color. (See the actual IOTD above.)

I read that while looking for the supposed missing third desk. It was Ronald Reagan who raised it three inches. When he brought in his own chair the desk would hit his knees so he had it raised. It has been raised ever since.

[Nagirroc]

That may well be it. I was in this guys shop in Bucks County, and he was such a pompous ass. We were there as art students, to see how a professional wood worker set up his shop, and all he talked about was this desk that he made for the president. Maybe it was for the "past" president.

[capnhowdy]

That would clearly be a case of a pompous ass making a desk for a pompous ass.

[cruiser3300]

I was fortunate enough to spend about 6 years working within a few feet of this desk. A few more fun facts....This is not a replica desk. The replicas that were talked about in previous posts were made for presidential libraries. The picture above is from the Clinton Oval Office. The previous post about the desk being raised 3 inches for President Reagan is correct. The panel on the front of the desk is not original to the desk. This was added for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was put there, at his request, because he did not want people to see the condition of his legs due to his paralysis. The panel is hinged and there is a lever to open and close it for air circulation. If you remember the historic pictures of JFK junior and his sister playing under the desk, shows it opened.

[capnhowdy]

Welcome to the cellar, Cruise

[Shawnee123]

Cool info, cruiser. Thanks! Welcome.

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by cruiser3300

I was fortunate enough to spend about 6 years working within a few feet of this desk. A few more fun facts....This is not a replica desk. The replicas that were talked about in previous posts were made for presidential libraries. The picture above is from the Clinton Oval Office. The previous post about the desk being raised 3 inches for President Reagan is correct. The panel on the front of the desk is not original to the desk. This was added for President Franklin D. Roosevelt. This was put there, at his request, because he did not want people to see the condition of his legs due to his paralysis. The panel is hinged and there is a lever to open and close it for air circulation. If you remember the historic pictures of JFK junior and his sister playing under the desk, shows it opened.

Very Cool! What was your job? Did they call the door under the desk, Monica's door?

[capnhowdy]

A desk?

I thought it was a huge cigar box.

[Shawnee123]

Originally Posted by capnhowdy

A desk?

I thought it was a huge cigar box.

Ohhhhhhh....spank spank spank, capn!

[TheMercenary]

Originally Posted by capnhowdy

A desk?

I thought it was a huge cigar box.

That is