' The Garnett Room at the University of Virginia Library
2. Edgar Allan Poe's step-mother's Sewing Cabinet/Table. Often wrongly described as a writing desk, this piece belonged to the Allan family of Richmond (the Allan of Edgar Allan Poe). The table was a gift of Churchill Young, Jr. (a University of Virginia graduate (B.S.,1919; M.S., 1920), in 1963. The table had passed from John Allan, Poe's stepfather, to Charles Ellis, Allan's business partner, to Elizabeth Thorowgood Munford, Ellis's daughter, to her daughter, Betta Wythe Munford to her great nephew, A. Churchill Young, Jr., the donor, from Richmond. There is a note in the handwriting of John Cook Wyllie, found in a drawer, saying that the table was made in N.Y. by Launay or Lannier; there is a addendum on the note by Ms. Freudenberg on the same note referring to "Meeks."

One section pulls out to right when opened and when closed resides under two drawers covered with rose-colored materials. This compartment is designed to hold sewing materials. On the other side, the left side, is a stand for candles or a light; this section also pulls out. The first drawer opens to a black velvet panel which, in turn, pulls up to reveal another compartment underneath. Alongside are smaller compartments for thread, etc. The table may have its original hardware and ringpulls. There is geometric inlay pattern around the bottom of the table. The legs of the table are large and are on wheels. The appearance may be of French [?] design. We're not sure of the building material.

Dimensions: 30.5" high 22.5" wide, 16.5" deep. [Mrs. Dr. William Holmes McGuffey's pocketbook (property of Albemarle Co. Historical Society) is also in the photograph.]

2235K MPEG Video

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