A MAHOGANY WRITING DESK. With brass mounts and inlay, with engraved name of 'Montgomery Cumming' on brass plaque, the hinged top opening to a slant-front lap desk, revealing a large central compartment and four smaller compartments, the secret door opening to reveal smaller compartments, with two glass inkwell bottles, two glass vials, and a key. Accompanied by a letter, dated 1938, from a Washington D.C. antiques repair establishment with instructions for operating the secret compartment - 8 in. x 17 3/4 in. x 12 in. Estimate $1,500-2,000
Provenance: Once the property of Breckenridge Long, the Third Assistant Secretary of State, appointed in 1917.
