Bookstand is a linebyline reproduction of the original ingenious device found in thomas jeffersons cabinet, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from jeffersons own design. This revolving book stand is a reproduction of the original found in jeffersons mansion, monticello, and is crafted of mahogany with a handpolished finish. Thomas jefferson, ever the student, was constantly studying. Thomas jeffersons revolving bookshelf invention synonym. Some of the technologies we use are necessary for critical functions like security and site integrity, account authentication, security and privacy preferences, internal site usage and maintenance data, and to make the site work correctly for browsing and transactions. The bookstand is a linebyline reproduction of the original made at monticello. Jeffersons passion for knowledge and books inspires our home office decor. Discover your taste in bookstands levenger wooden book cases, book display stands, revolving and adjustable book stands, and more. Years ago i visited monticello and was impressed by the bookstand that thomas jefferson had designed for his library. We were asked to quote and build a thomas jefferson revolving book stand, by a parent at the ambrose school, as a class project for the schools annual auction.
How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand. So, he invented this revolving book stand which allowed him to quickly and. Holds up to 5 books at once, made of solid mahogany with a soft, handpolished finish, the rotating stand holds five books at adjustable angles on rests that fold down to form a 12 cube. Thomas jeffersons revolving book stand lawyer, politician, hobby architect and prolific inventor, but more important true american pioneer, with succeeding in all that fields and more it is certainly required to have a keen passion for knowledge. Jefferson book stand a monticello classic woodworking network. Throughout his life, books were vital to thomas jeffersons education and wellbeing. As many as five books could be placed on it at a time. The book stand was designed to support as many as five open books for reading and research.
Our home office decorations include desktop globes, reproduction bust sculptures and other accessories. For pricing information, please visit our pricing page. Jefferson may have conveniently placed it next to his chair in his readingandwriting arrangement in the. Season 28 episode 4 26m 46s video has closed captioning. Celebrated on april th every year, thomas jeffersons birthday is an observance and celebration of the birthday of one of the u. Appoint your space with home library accessories like our signature monticello revolving bookstand, mahogany folding library steps, or portable campaign lap desk. He loved to gaze and examine stars, planets, and comets. This revolving stand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jeffersons design and specifications in the joiners shop on mulberry row.
The bookstand supports up to five books on a rotating base allowing the. It was designed to swivel 360 degrees and hold five books, one on each side and one on the top. I believe that the stand was placed in the parlor in the 1980s but was later moved to his study. Jefferson invented a rotating book stand and type of copying device that made copies of any letters as he was writing them. At some point during or before the 3rd quarter of the 18th century, the name dumb waiter also began to be applied to rotating trays. Thomas jefferson revolving book stand custom furniture. Thomas jeffersons revolving book stand johnsonarts. Fintie rotating case for new ipad 7th generation 10. The third president of the united states and the author of the declaration of independence, thomas jefferson was a powerful man who helped shaped the future of america. It is believed that roubos book inspired thomas jeffersons design. Rotating tabletop stand holds 5 books at adjustable angles folds into a compact 12 cube crafted of polished mahogany an excellent gift for the bibliophile made. The revolving book stand symbolizes jefferson s lifelong passion for books, and is yet another great contribution to historic craftsmanship. Legend has it that thomas jefferson designed this bookstand in 1810 and.
Thomas jeffersons birthday in 20202021 when, where. He loved technology and innovation, and one of his favorites was a rotating book stand which would hold five books at a time. Reproductions of antiques thomas jeffersons writing desk i aural mahogany c0023. So, he invented this revolving book stand which allowed him to quickly and easily view five books with the spin of the wrist. It is currently on display in the cabinet room of the house. He was very fond of collecting wines and was known to be a gourmet. Judeochristian stained glass graphics illuminated cabinet c0216.
Jefferson book stand a monticello classic woodworking. One can imagine him turning the stand, completely engrossed, consulting five books at once to find the answer to a burning question. How to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with. Thomas jefferson in matters of style, swim with the. Jefferson may have conveniently placed it next to his chair in his readingandwriting arrangement in the cabinet. Thomas jefferson the revolving bookstand was once thought to be a music stand allowing a small group of musicians could gather around it when playing.
The original book stand is believed to have been built in the monticello joinery based on jeffersons drawings, and was constructed of solid walnut. Jefferson, ever the student, was constantly studying. This jefferson bookstand also makes a great display piece. In 2007, when congressman keith ellison borrowed a quran once owned by thomas jefferson pictured above for his ceremonial oath of office, he renewed a debate as old as the american republic. By 1814 when the british burned the nations capitol and the library of congress, jefferson had acquired the largest personal collection of books in the united states. His estate was equipped with automatic doors and swivel chair. The ingenious jeffersondesign revolving book stand reflects the third president quest for knowledge and his passion for clever, finelymade furnishings.
It folds down into a onefoot cube and opens to hold up to five books simulataneously. Jefferson offered to sell his library to congress as a replacement for the collection destroyed by the british during the war of 1812. What you see here is thomas jeffersons first stab at pioneering the tabbed browsing experience were all familiar with on modern internet browsers. This revolving bookstand, once thought to be a music stand, was probably made to jeffersons design and specifications in the joinery. Reproduction revolving bookstand in the online monticello shop. Thomas jeffersons inventions thomas jefferson was a famous inventor of his time, inventing lots of machines, some of which we still use today. Sep 5, 2012 how to make a thomas jefferson jeffersonian bookstand with downloadable plans.
Replica of thomas jeffersons bookstand woodworking. Constructed of solid walnut, the cubeshaped stand has five adjustable rests for holding. Our revolving bookstand is a line by line reproduction of the original, which was made in the joinery at monticello, probably from thomas jeffersons own design. He needed to reference multiple sources, but found finding, opening and closing books cumbersome and timewasting. Holding five books at adjustable angles, it still suits for crosschecking information from several sources, keeping reference works in handy and allowing to instantly compare quote by. Aug 21, 20 reproduction of thomas jeffersons own design. Thomas jeffersonstyle revolving bookstand autumndoucet. Thomas jeffersons unique swivel mechanism finewoodworking. The footprint, when closed is inches 33 cm square. Made of solid mahogany with a soft, handpolished finish, the rotating table top book stand holds five books at adjustable angles on rests that fold down to form a 12 cube. How to make solid wood 1800s jeffersonian bookstand.
In that book is a description of a folding twosided music stand with a ratcheting mechanism to allow for angle adjustment. While he was born over 274 years ago, however, this holiday wasnt officially recognized by presidential proclamation until 1938 195 years after. Islam and the founders by denise spellberg in this months revolving bookstand feature. The five sided rotating bookstand, now referred to as the thomas jefferson bookstand, could only make me wonder how curious and studious a man jefferson. Mahogany 16th century gothic book cabinet in medium cherry c0141b thomas jeffersons revolving bookstand in natural walnut c022. This rotating book stand contraption, of his own invention, allowed him to quickly switch between 5 different open books and to satisfy his selfdescribed canine appetite for reading. The revolving book stand symbolizes jeffersons lifelong passion for books, and is yet another great contribution to historic craftsmanship.
So, he invented this revolving book stand which allowed him to quickly and easily view five books with the spin of the. This jefferson book stand, found in monticello, is reproduced by johnsonarts, a workshop, makeground, imagineering design center and studio, specializing in customdesigned and built furniture. Ss founding fathers and the third president of the united states. There is very little information about the original book stand, but from what i was able to glean from the monticello website, thomas jefferson had it built in 1810 at the joinery, which was the workshop at monticello, out of solid walnut. See more ideas about thomas jefferson, book stands. Among the many ingenious devices found in jeffersons cabinet, this one perhaps most clearly suggests jeffersons passion for knowledge. Concluding with a chapter on thomas jeffersons unique interpretation of palladios work as well as palladianism in the early united states, this book is a great read for those interested in the origins of jeffersons architectural style.
In 1810, thomas jefferson designed a revolving book stand that was made in the joinery at monticello, jeffersons plantation near charlottesville, virginia. Etsy your place to buy and sell all things handmade. Jefferson never had a lazy susan at monticello, but he did construct a boxshaped rotating book stand and, as part of serving in the french style, employed a revolving diningroom door whose reverse side. As many as five books or letters could be placed on it at a time. Thomas jefferson kept a record and drawings of all the plants and animals in virginia. This jefferson book stand, found in monticello, is reproduced by johnsonarts. The woodwrights shop thomas jeffersons bookstand season.