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Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552
Source Vintage

Rare Late 19th-Early 20th Century Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk Founded 1552

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A Rare Heavily Graffitied Section Of A Leeds Grammar School Desk, Preserved And Framed. The Graffiti Is Mainly Pupil’s Names. It Has A Silver Plaque Added Which Is Engraved “Leeds Grammar School Founded 1552”.

The Carving Style And The Fact That This Is An Original Wooden Desk Panel Suggest This Is Likely Late 19th To Early 20th Century. The Typography And Depth Of Carving Match Tools And Handwriting Forms Common Before The Second World War.

“D.I. CURRIE” is carved quite cleanly in the centre; also “F.S. Wood” and “D. Burrow” nearby. “J.E. PETTY”, “M. ROBINSON”, and “F.H. HUDSON” are also visible. Harder to read due to overlapping graffiti, but there are initials like “H.G. Slater” partially discernible, along with several others.

Leeds Grammar School was one of the oldest and most prestigious schools in northern England, with roots going back to the mid 16th century, as referenced on the silver plaque.

It was founded shortly after the dissolution of chantries under Edward VI, when many religious endowments were repurposed for education. Its mission was to provide a classical education, Latin, Greek, and religious instruction, to boys in Leeds and the surrounding area.

The school was free for local boys and focused heavily on preparing students for university (particularly Oxford and Cambridge) and the church. It survived political and religious upheavals in Tudor and Stuart England, maintaining its reputation for academic rigour.

It educated many notable figures, including:

  • Herbert Asquith – British Prime Minister (1908–1916).
  • John Smeaton – Civil engineer, often called the “father of civil engineering”.
  • Sir Clifford Allbutt – Physician who invented the clinical thermometer.

A rare survivor!

Condition is good, commensurate with age and use.

Measures 54.5cm x 52cm (frame) & 40cm x 38cm x 2cm

Weighs 4250 grams 

 

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