Thomas White Desk

[Calvin Hobbs]

All,

Some of you might know about our Hobbs tradition, meeting once a year to build furniture together with my brothers, my Dad, and me. In 2010, our project was this desk. It has been a long haul, but within the last couple of weeks I actually was able to complete the finish and install the hardware. The desk is a reproduction of an original desk made by Thomas White in Perquimans County, NC, in the 18th century. Since I started this one over two years ago, so it feels GREAT to get it finished.

Wood, walnut from Irion Lumber in Wellsboro, PA and Bald Cypress from Northeastern NC as the secondary. Wood, aniline dye, shellac, and wax. Hardware from Marshall Brass in England. Photos: Wesley Lewis, Overland Park KS.

Please let me know if you have comments, critiques, questions, or want to know more about the history of the piece. Thanks, Cal

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[C Scott McDonald]

Looks great Calvin!

Do you each build your own or do you all work on the same piece? How do you decide what piece to build?

Top notch work!

[Tom Giles]

Wow, that desk is gorgeous and what a great family tradition you have.

[Dave Anderson NH]

Gee Calvin, it kind of looks like the one in the American Period Furniture Journal.:D Seriously though, as usual a truly fine piece with great execution. Are you going to make the midyear at Old Salem in June? Again, congratulations on a stunning desk.

[Gary Pennington]

That's spectacular execution! Awsome family tradition as well.

Gary

[Colin Giersberg]

Beatiful reproduction.

Regards, Colin

[Mark Valsi]

EXCEPTIONAL !!!

What a great project !! Must have been fun working with family

[G Douglas Fowler]

Outstanding in every respect! What a sweet project and legacy.

[gary Zimmel]

That is one sweet piece of furniture..
Real, real nice work Calvin.
Thanks for posting a pic of it finished.

[Stan Mitchell]

Stunning!

I can see an awful lot of hours in this build.

[Scott T Smith]

Absolutely stunning! Gorgeous wood and sublime craftsmanship.

[frank shic]

looks like an heirloom piece!

[Calvin Hobbs]

Thanks all for the nice comments....

Scott,

We each build a separate piece. So in 2009 there were actually 5 of these going on at one time (Dad, me, two brothers, and one good family friend). 3 of them are complete, hopefully 2 more in the future.

In a way we take turns deciding, although it is a group discussion at the same time. Since 2007 we have built corner cupboards, high chests, armchairs, one year we went touring, and the desk. Actually this week we are at Dad's shop making tall-post turned beds. Good times but a lot of work. Wouldn't trade it for a "normal" vacation that's for sure.

Dave, good to hear from you. Probably will not make the conference in June, as I will have made 2 trips to NC by then, and will be coming back in July. But I hope you enjoy the talk from the Old Man!

Thanks, Cal

[Paul Murphy]

What a lovely desk! The carvings on the feet give it a welcoming grace. Thanks for sharing your work with us Calvin.

[Eric McCune]

Hi Calvin,

The desk is amazing. I can even imagine the hours you invested in this piece. I'm sure your grandchildren will fight over it.

Since you asked for critiques, any reason why you didn't stain/ dye the glue blocks behind the legs? Maybe this is a traditional look, but they stand out too much. Really, I'm stretching to find anything but praise.

Thanks for posting.

Eric

[Mike Null]

It is just remarkable. I like the finish especially.

[Calvin Hobbs]

Eric,

Good catch. They do stand out, and moreso on this piece than typical, due to the large chunks that are the same size as the outer portion of the foot. Since this was a reproduction of a specific piece I left them unstained like the original. Thanks for the comments.


Mike,

Thanks for the comments. The finish, something I have struggled with....this time I think it turned out pretty good. Patience helped. After all the hours (I'm guessing around 400) I made sure to take my time.

Here is a picture of the interior that shows some more detail. Thanks again.

[Jay Jolliffe]

Very nice work. Do they turn out all the same or are there different interpretations on the same style. I know there suppose to be a reproduction but some see things a little different than others. Great work.....

[Roger Berwick]

That is a beautiful Bureau and expertly made - Well done you deserve a pat on the back!

[Jim Becker]

"WOW" about sums it up!

[Richard Wolf]

Great in every element.

[Robert LaPlaca]

Calvin,

Stunning work.. The walnut from Irion is beautiful.. Are the drawer fronts solid crotch Walnut or veneered?

[Jeff Hamilton Jr.]

Simply Awesome.

[Calvin Hobbs]

Calvin,

Stunning work.. The walnut from Irion is beautiful.. Are the drawer fronts solid crotch Walnut or veneered?

Robert,

The drawer fronts were resawn from the same crotch of the fall board, which is solid. I had the pleasure to visit Irion a few years ago and Myron showed me this set of crotches and I knew they would be great for the desk. The final thickness was a heavy sixteenth or so. Thanks for commenting. Cal

[Chuck Saunders]

Not much to say except Excellent work Cal

[Jerry Olexa]

Extraordinary as usual!!! very nice results.

[Gordon Eyre]

What a great tradition and your work is outstanding.