United States House of Representatives: History, Art, & Archives
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Klipper Desk

Klipper Desk/tiles/collection/2/2733.xml
Klipper Desk/tiles/collection/2/2735.xml
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Date

1873

Maker

Klipper, Webster & Company

Accession Number

2005.122.000

Credit Line

Collection of the U.S. House of Representatives, Gift of the Pryor and Atkinson Families

Object Details

This desk type was the last style to be designed for the House Chamber. Introduced in 1873, the so-called Klipper desks—nicknamed for their manufacturing firm—were more compact and less flamboyantly Victorian than the 1857 models that they replaced. Sparely adorned, these desks served as Member’s Chamber workspace until 1911, when theater-style seat rows were introduced. In addition to providing more abundant seating, the desks were simply no longer necessary; as of 1909, every Member had designated office space in the House Office Building, now called the Cannon House Office Building.

Rights and Reproduction Information

Objects

House Chamber Stereoview
House Chamber Stereoview

Exhibitions & Publications

How a Building Changed the House: Cannon House Office Building
How a Building Changed the House: Cannon House Office Building
Office of the Historian: history@mail.house.gov
Office of Art & Archives, Office of the Clerk: art@mail.house.gov, archives@mail.house.gov