An original mahogany wood slant top writing desk owned and used by Robert Louis Stevenson when writing Treasure Island and other works. This desk was shipped to Stevenson's home at Vailima, Apia, Samoa in 1891, and placed in his library.

Stevenson began writing Treasure Island while staying in the Scottish Highlands at Braemar in October 1881. To amuse his young twelve-year-old stepson, Lloyd Osbourne, and because weather was stormy, Louis drew an imaginary map of an island with names like 'Skygklass Hill' and 'Skeleton Island.' With the help of Lloyd, he painted in the sea and principal features using a box of watercolors. The next morning he began to compose the classic adventure story of pirates and hidden treasure, working on a chapter a day for fifteen days. Stevenson completed the novel in Davos-Platz, Switzerland.

Treasure Island established Stevenson as a romantic novelist capable of writing elegant clear prose. As the author Jack London stated: "His Treasure Island will be a classic to go down with Robinson Crusoe, Through the Looking Glass, and The Jungle Books." This book became a bestseller that has never been out of print since its first publication in 1883.

Back to Main Page