In the 17th century, a "joiner" built furniture out of frame-and-panel construction, a refined version of the techniques that were also used to frame up doors and for the panelling of rooms, while a "cabinet-maker" built furniture with flush surfaces suitable for veneers or marquetry, assembled using dovetails.
The two trades were quite distinct, and for the fitting out of Royal Navy ships the services of a joiner would have been much more appropriate.
Pepys' diary records that he used Simpson's services on several occasions to work on improvements for his office and his home in Seething Lane, London.
Pepys wrote on 17 August 1667 and a few days later The surviving book presses have paired glazed doors each in 21 small panes, over a low section, also with glazed panes, made to hold large folio volumes.
The base moldings and cornices are finely and robustly carved with acanthus leaf.