Background
I have been producing individual pieces of furniture in
my custom woodworking shop since 1975. I built my first (1/2) roll top desk
in 1976. After purchasing the pedestals to a roll top desk, I set about
to construct the top section. The challenge of the project combined with
a fascination for this unique and nostalgic piece of American history, led
me to shift my primary shop efforts to custom built quality and authentically
styled roll top desks tailored to the client's needs and wishes. I named
my newly oriented venture ROCKY MOUNTAIN ROLLTOP DESK WORKS (located in
Laramie, Wyoming at the time), and set about to gain as much knowledge as
possible about the manufacturers, styles, features, patents, woods, finishes,
and periods of existence as possible. My operation migrated to Harrisonburg,
Virginia in 1985, and adapted to the region by becoming known as ROLL TOP
DESK WORKS, Inc. Over the years I have accumulated an extensive library
of old trade catalogs, patents, photographs, manufacturing data, and other
information related to the styles and construction characteristics of the
finer original roll top desks manufactured from Boston to Davenport. The
results of this research has been incorporated into my promise to craft
a quality heirloom for you in the authentic historic tradition. 
A
Desk From My Collection No more than
7 roll top desks per year will be produced.
Each desk is built one at a time. The desks are authentic in woods, construction, style and detail to the highest quality. An order placed for a roll top desk from Roll Top Desk Works parallels placing an order from an 1880 trade catalog. Each desk is fitted with a brass plaque bearing the inscription "Custom Built For _____________". I personally sign, date, and number each custom built desk. These heirlooms are collector's items that will be cherished and enjoyed for generations to come.
Roll Top Desk Construction
All
materials are choice hardwoods, red oak and quartered white oak, walnut,
cherry, mahogany (exotic hardwoods on request), with screws and dowel pins
used throughout the process. The drawers are dovetailed and ride on authentic
hardwood rails. The tambour roll slats are a tongue and groove fit held
together with four flexible steel cables instead of a canvas backing. All
frame work and writing surface materials are three quarters of an inch or
heavier in thickness. All raised panels are five eighths of an inch thick
and free floating. Raised panels are used throughout, including the back.
The desks are easily disassembled for ease of moving and shipping.