A Soldier's Desk

A patent for a pocket writing desk was applied for December 25^th 1861 by Andrew J Ritter.

Patent number 35,781 was applied for by Andrew J Ritter of Rahway, New Jersey for a pocket writing desk.  The pocket desk was meant to hold paper, pen or pencil, sewing needles and thread, and a checker board with the checkers.  When the Civil War started it became a much sought after device for both sides.  The patent was granted to Ritter on July 1^st 1862.