Leather University™
Thomas Jefferson's Leather Items
by Dan Concord
Author, speaker, teacher, and educator on leather working tools and techniques.
Leather University™
Author, speaker, teacher, and educator on leather working tools and techniques.
Thomas Jefferson, a Founding Father of the United States, author of the Declaration of Independence, and inventor, was a man of many talents. Known for his practicality and efficiency, one might wonder if his personal items reflected a preference for simplicity or elegance. Let’s examine a few examples of his personal leather items to find out.
Jefferson’s armchair is a fine piece made of mahogany with dark leather upholstery secured with brass tacks. Given his interest in design, the choice of wood and the overall fit and finish suggest a relatively elegant simplicity, leaning towards being a fancy item. The Thomas Jefferson Foundation maintains many of these incredible pieces and more on their grounds at Monticello, Jefferson’s original home.
Jefferson’s riding boots were made from a combination of calf and goat leather, crafted domestically but in an imported English style. Each boot originally featured two bootstraps at the top to assist in pulling them on. Both at first glance and upon closer inspection, these boots appear to be of above-average quality, indicating a preference for elegance. Having dedicated riding boots was itself a luxury at the time, further suggesting that Jefferson might have favored more refined items.
This writing table appears to be a special piece that Jefferson had both at his rented residences in Paris and later at his home in Monticello. It features a combination of rosewood and fruit woods with brass hardware and a large leather covering that would make for a pleasant writing surface.
The table’s fit, finish, and adornments seem to surpass the common look of the period, indicating a higher level of elegance. While most people might have used a simple wooden table for various activities, Jefferson’s writing table was likely more specialized and refined. Imagine the ideas and designs he wrote, sketched, and drafted here. It’s truly incredible.
So, did Thomas Jefferson have fancy leather items? By some standards, it appears he did. His choice of materials and the quality of his personal items suggest a taste for elegance, even if he also valued practicality and efficiency.
History can be viewed from many perspectives, and exploring the details of Jefferson’s life allows us to appreciate the nuances of his personal tastes and the era he lived in. Here’s to exploring, enjoying, and learning from history together!
Dan Concord is a professional leather crafter with 15 years of design experience and expertise. He is founder of the successful Liberty Leather Goods studio, and also a published author, speaker, teacher, and educator on leather working tools and techniques. He lives in the USA.
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