Herbert L. Andrews from Chicago, Illinois, received a U.S. patent for an improved school desk. Patent no. 82061 was issued on September 15, 1868.
This desk has a square wooden top and three brass legs connected to the bottom of the desktop. The metal work is considered Gothic, with a diamond-shaped pattern. The monobloc and hinges are brass colored with two knobs so the height of the desk can be raised or lowered. The seat is adjustable in height, which allows the two parts to be held together more securely. This desk was produced by A.H. Andrews & Co. in 1870 in Chicago. It was made in six sizes and called the "Triumph School Desk." The desk got a good deal of acclaim and was exhibited at the International State Industrial Exposition in Chicago in 1873. It was displayed again at the 1876 Centennial Exposition in Philadelphia, where it won an award for "strength, durability, and good form." According to Andrews he sold over 50,000 of these school desks yearly.
Herbert Lee Andrews was born in New Britain, Connecticut, on June 6, 1844. He was educated in public schools and taught for a short period in Meriden and Plantsville, Connecticut. In 1868 he moved to Chicago and entered into manufacturing with his brother Alfred H. Andrews. They were partners in the A. H. Andrews & Co. The National Cyclopedia of American Biography (1917) states that Herbert Lee Andrews was the inventor of the first folding seat school desk. He made other desks as well as opera chairs, a dustless blackboard eraser, and an ink well. He also created steel rod framed chairs, tables, and stools, which became a staple of school furniture. In 1895 he invented a steel woven fabric to be used in place of leather or plush for car seats or railroad cars.
Sword: This presentation sword, given to Colonel John Garland, has a straight, double-edged blade with a narrow and shallow groove that runs along its middle. The front and back are decorated in silver gilt with floral sprays and military trophies. The obverse of the blade also features a liberty cap. The grip of the sword features alternating vertical strips of mother of pearl and gold metal. The gold portion features a scroll design, and the strips of mother of pearl are set with gold bolts. The middle bolt on the pearl strip on the obverse is set with a severely damaged yellow stone. The pommel of is an eagle perched on top of the grip and holding a metal chain in its mouth. The chain acts as the knuckleguard and connects to one of two quillons. The quillons are decorated with palm leaves and engravings of weaponry. There is no counterguard on this sword, but there is a langet, which features small, flat medallion in between the quillons. The medallion bears an engraving of a soldier standing atop another soldier and holding him down with a spear, and there is also a liberty cap.
Scabbard: The scabbard has three gold mounts. The top mount bears a medallion with a coat of arms, surrounded by scroll designs. The middle mount features the profile view of a man on a medallion, surrounded by scroll designs, and the third mount solely consists of scroll designs. There are multiple engravings on the scabbard itself, including an eagle at the top, an inscription in the middle, and military trophies and scrolls on the bottom. The sword has three carrying rings, two of which are attached to either side of the top mount, and the third attached to the middle mount.
Small, tapered rectangular, zip-top bag with rounded top corners and two strap handles on four metal button feet; made of heavyweight blue nylon fabric machine stitched with white piping and printed "PAA / PAN AMERICAN WORLD AIRWAYS" in white on both sides. Zipper closes with a ring pull on short chain. Owner's name and address written in black marker on bottom outside. Maker's tag and bobby pin inside bag.
In-flight bag used by donor when immigrating from Korea to be adopted in the United States in 1956.
