A Tunbridge Ware Rectangular Box Marked for Postcards c1875

Description

Heading : Tunbridge Ware – A Rectangular Box Marked for Postcards c1875
Date : c1875
Period : Victorian
Origin : Tunbridge Wells. Kent
Decoration : Two-part lift-off lid and base box; rosewood veneer with coromandel insert to top of lid; this forms the reserve in to which is set five concentric pieces of key-line stringing surrounding tesserated lettering which spells out POSTCARDS. the whole being contained within a four-square geometric band; to one ‘front’ face of the box. a rectangular five-square geometric border within two continuous and one banded threads of key-line stringing
Size : 13.6 x 8.5 x 3.5 cm
Condition : Excellent; some very fine superficial scratches and tiny gaps where the veneers meet on two edges; a scuffed patch to the lining paper on the base.
Restoration : none
Weight :  113 grams

Notes : It’s generally accepted that it was Henry Hollamby who was the first to start making up lettering using minute tesserae. first adding it to his stamp boxes; it quickly became popular. with other manufacturers adopting the technique. notably Boyce. Brown & Kemp from the early 1870’s – however. with all due respect. this box is simply too well made for anyone other than Hollamby. although the very fine lettering is not perfect; from the chamfering on the internal sleeve to the coromandel reserve and combed lining paper. it’s clearly the work of a very accomplished hand – Hollamby very much fits the bill.

With regard to the date. postcards were not produced in the UK until 1870. when the Post Office were the only company permitted to print them. Therefore. they would all – one presumes – be to a uniform size. and it would be possible to make a box which would accommodate their unvarying dimensions. A date after 1870 takes us to the time when both Hollamby and BB&K were both in business. but we would strongly favour the former as the source for the reasons stated above