What is a Dickens desk?

A Dickens desk is a pedestal desk featuring a raised superstructure with small drawers and pigeonholes above the main writing surface. This layout provided partitioned storage for correspondence and documents while maintaining a flat writing area.

Did these desks always have leather tops?

Many writing tables and pedestal desks incorporated leather inserts to provide a smooth surface for writing with ink pens. Some examples utilised plain wood or burr walnut panels instead of leather depending on the specific style.

How can I tell a library table from a desk?

Library tables lack pedestals with side drawers and instead stand on four legs, often with frieze drawers built into the frame. They were designed to sit in the centre of a room with access from all sides.