Ex Major John Galpin Rare 19thc Ceylonese Solid Satinwood Campaign Style Bureau
SOLD
Shopping at Vinterior
-
14-day return guarantee
-
Outstanding customer service
-
Secure payment
-
Buyer protection
-
Trees planted for every purchase

Item details
Height
116.0 cm
Width
135.3 cm
Depth
52.8 cm
Wear conditions
Good
Wear conditions
Excellent
Shows little to no signs of wear and tear.
Good
May show slight traces of use in keeping with age. Most vintage and antique items fit into this condition.
Average
Likely to show signs of some light scratching and ageing but still remains in a fair condition.
Apparent Wear and Tear
Visible signs of previous use including scratches, chips or stains.
Please refer to condition report, images or make a seller enquiry for additional information.
Description
This is a stunning, large solid Satinwood Ceylonese (Sri Lankan) Campaign Style Writing Bureau commissioned around 1900 for World War I Battery Sergeant Major John Galpin. The bureau is crafted entirely from solid Satinwood and features a large full-front that opens to reveal a fully-fitted writing interior, including 10 serpentine-shaped drawers, gothic-style compartments, a cupboard, and solid, heavy brass pull handles. The lower section has 2 small drawers over 2 larger drawers, all satinwood lined with heavy brass handles and escutcheons. The piece rests on a wide stepped plinth base. It boasts excellent provenance, having belonged to Major John Galpin DSM and then descended to the Director of the Times Newspaper in Ceylon and a First World War I Pilot.
Condition: The piece is in outstanding original condition commensurate with age.
Overall Measurements:
- Height: 45.7'' | 116 cm
- Width: 53.3'' | 135.3 cm
- Depth: 20.8'' | 52.8 cm
Delivery: Fast & Free UK Delivery Included. Artsonline UK ships worldwide daily using fully insured, priority, and fully tracked delivery services. For larger items, professional door-to-door delivery providers are used, aiming to deliver within approximately 7-14 working days.
Features: Carvings, Fixed, Hidden Storage, With Drawers
Finish: Satinwood
Number of Drawers: 14
Theme: Antique, British Colonial
Handle Material: Brass
Condition report:
An item that has been previously used. The item may have some signs of cosmetic wear, but is fully operational and functions as intended.
Cancellations
We offer free cancellations and full refund for orders cancelled before dispatching. View full policy.
Returns
We have a 14-day return guarantee for orders from individual sellers, within the UK and European Union. View full policy.
Estimated delivery time
Less than one week
Free collection available
No
You may also like
You may also like
Choose a Wishlist
Create Wishlist
- Selling at Vinterior since 2021
- 134 sales
- Ships from Bristol, United Kingdom
Seller Reviews
Cancellations and Returns
Last updated: 24th March 2025
We want everybody’s Vinterior experience to be seamless, so both buyers and sellers can fall in love with pre-loved. We designed our Terms of sale to treat everybody fairly.
However, sometimes things don’t go exactly to plan, and you may need to cancel or return an order.
To prevent this, we encourage you to check listings, photos and descriptions carefully before you buy. If you aren’t sure about a piece’s condition, size, provenance or shipping, just ask; click Contact seller to get in touch. Always contact your seller first if you have any queries, at any point in your purchase.
Our buyers receive the same protection when buying from all our sellers, both professional and verified.
Can I cancel an order?
There are many reasons why you might need to cancel an order, and you'll often be entitled to a refund. To cancel an order, click Create cancellation on the order page.
If you cancel your order before it has been dispatched, you will receive a full refund - including delivery costs. However, if your item has been shipped, delivery costs will not be included in your refund.
Please note: orders of bespoke, personalised or made-to-order pieces cannot be cancelled.
Can I return an order?
We understand that sometimes a piece isn’t the perfect fit. So if you no longer want your order, our returns process will ensure it finds a new home fast.
The Vinterior Guarantee included with your purchase entitles you to 14-day returns - allowing you to return any item within 14 days of the delivery date (except in specific circumstances, detailed below).
You can return your order if...
It isn't what you expected
If what arrives isn’t what you ordered, you can open a return. Just send us some photo evidence that the listing was inaccurate, misleading or misrepresented your purchased piece, and you’ll receive a refund.
You change your mind
If you don’t feel a piece is right for your space, you can return it. Once you request a change of mind return, you’ll be responsible for shipping the piece back to your seller as soon as possible. Delivery costs are non-refundable.
It's damaged in transit
In the rare event that an item arrives damaged or defective, you have a full 30 days from the date of delivery to return it for a full refund.
If your purchase arrives broken, always let us know. If Proovia delivered the piece, we can raise an insurance claim on the seller’s behalf. Or, the seller can raise a claim with their chosen courier.
What can't I return?
Just as there are some orders you can’t cancel, there are some you cant return, too. Personalised, bespoke or made-to-order pieces are non-returnable, and non-refundable. Sellers may also reject your return if the item has been altered in any way.
Please note: pieces on our site are pre-loved, not new. They may show some wear and tear; this is not sufficient grounds for a refund, unless the seller has misrepresented the item’s condition.
Lastly, neither Vinterior nor our sellers are liable for any damages or loss sustained in transit via third parties.
I'm eligible for a return. Now what?
To initiate a return, log into your Vinterior account, then go to the relevant order page and click Create a return. In the return request, be sure to include all the details: the reason for your return, an in-depth description, and photos of any issues or damage.
How will I receive my refund?
Once the seller confirms they’ve received the item (in the same condition it was sent), we will send your refund to your original payment method.
All items are inspected on return. If the seller receives the return with damage they don’t recognise, we will not be able to process your refund and the seller may need to send the piece back to you. You will be required to cover these delivery costs.