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By Pamela Upshur
When President Barack Obama took office, one of the first things he did was to sit behind the famous Resolute Desk and read a letter left to him by President George W. Bush.
Now, thanks to well-done replicas, almost anyone can have an exact copy of this famous desk in their home or office because of the hard work of highly-skilled craftsmen who are able to duplicate this intricate desk. Anyone with a keen interest in Presidential history, or who simply would get a kick out of having the same desk as Barack Obama, can now purchase a replica of the Resolute Desk on-line.
Why spend thousands of dollars on a desk? Even without its rich history, the Resolute Desk is a beautiful example of Victorian design, complete with ornate carvings, gorgeous tooled leather table, and an impressive stance. Most presidents since 1880 have used this desk to sign some of the most important documents in United States history. The desk’s history is fascinating, which is why many people are putting replicas of the desk in their own office. Replicas of the ornate desk can be purchased for between $6,000 and $12,000 and materials typically used are mahogany or oak. In addition to private office, replicas of the desk can be found in five presidential libraries, as well as several privately-owned museums.
The desk is so recognizable, that it also has been replicated for movies that require authenticity in their set design. In the movie National Treasure 2: Books of Secrets, the Resolute Desk played a key role.
Private buyers are getting a bit of prestige and a fascinating bit of American history.
The desk had its beginnings as timbers of the HMS Resolute, a ship that became stuck in Artic ice during an 1850 British expedition. The ship was abandoned, broke loose of the ice, and was found by an American fishing boat, which confiscated it.
As a sign of goodwill, the American government returned the ship to Queen Victoria, where it served the British Navy for another 23 years. When the Resolute was decommissioned in 1879, the British made a desk from its timbers and presented the desk as a gift to President Hayes. It was common practice to re-use parts of ships and create such tokens.
That desk has served presidents since then, and is one of the most highly photographed desks in the world. One of the most iconic pictures is of John F. Kennedy Jr. peeking out a door of the desk while his father worked. That panel was ordered put into the desk by President Roosevelt to hide the fact he was sitting in a wheelchair. Although the panel, containing the Presidential Seal, did not arrive until after President Roosevelt died, President Truman decided to install the panel.
Since the historic election of the country’s first African American President, interest in the desk has surged, and several furniture companies are recreating the desk. Most of the replicas are made from Mahogany, the preferred wood, but others are available in oak.
About the Author: Antique Replica Furniture specializes in hand-carved mahogany replicas of English Antiques in Chippendale, Hepplewhite, Regency, Queen Anne and english Victorian styles furniture. Resolute Desks
Source: isnare.com
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