School Furniture of the Past

The Trade Literature Collection at the National Museum of American History Library includes a number of school related trade catalogs. This catalog by J. L. Hammett entitled Illustrated Catalogue of School Merchandise 1872-1873 w/1874 cover and price list of school furniture includes desks and chairs for students and teachers. Some of the desk styles have a chair attached to a desk while others have a separate desk and chair.

The Patent Gothic Normal Desk is one of the styles that has a desk attached to the back of the chair. The desk comes with a foot rest and the chair has a curved back and folding seat. The desk has a "Patent Ink Well," a pencil shelf, and a lifting lid so that students can store materials inside the desk.

J. L. Hammett, Boston, MA.  Illustrated Catalogue of School Merchandise 1872-1873 w/1874 cover and price list of school furniture, 1872-1874, page 7, Patent Gothic Normal Desk.

The Standard High School Desk has a separate desk and chair. The desk comes with the Patented Silvered Ink Well and has a book shelf that is extra wide and deep. The desk can be used by one or two students.  The chair that goes along with the desk is "Smith's Patent."

J. L. Hammett, Boston, MA.  Illustrated Catalogue of School Merchandise 1872-1873 w/1874 cover and price list of school furniture, 1872-1874, page 11, Standard High School Desk ; Standard Normal School Desk.

This catalog and others by J. L. Hammett are located in the Trade Literature Collection at the National Museum of American History Library. Take a look at the Galaxy of Images to see more images of school furniture from this catalog.

—Alexia MacClain