Maker’s and Retailer’s Marks
For the purposes of identification, advertising and acknowledgement, many boxes would bear the ‘marks’ of their maker’s and retailer’s. Their names, business addresses and details could be engraved or stamped into small brass plates or locks, gold-tooled and embossed into leather or velvet, engraved into wood or ivory plaques, or printed onto paper labels.
Some maker/ retailer marks grab your attention the moment the box is opened, whilst others might require a little more searching out. Gold tooled or paper label maker/ retailer marks seemed to be more often concealed behind the leather-bound flap or inside the leather-bound letter wallet in the lid.

Removing the ruched velvet/ mirror panel in the lid reveals this paper maker’s label adhered to the concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. This label bears the mark of the manufacturer and retailer, John Farthing of 42 Cornhill, London.

Removing the mirror/ ruched velvet panel in the lid reveals a concealed leather-bound letter wallet behind. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Halstaff & Hannaford of 228 Regent Street, London.

The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the exterior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, Edwards of 21 King Street, Bloomsbury Square, London.

The manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark of, ‘Edwards – 21 King Strt – Holborn’ has been stamped into the wood on the underside of the lid.

The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. Adhered to the interior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, George Palmer of 1 St James’s Street, London.

Opening the lower drawer reveals the manufacturer’s label adhered to the interior lid section. This paper label bears the mark of the manufacturer, William Dobson of 166 Strand, London.

The front flap of the box drops forward to reveal this engraved brass manufacturer’s and retailer’s plate on the reverse. The plate reads, ‘Jenner & Knewstub – To The Queen – 33 St James’s Street and 66 Jermyn Street’.

The ruched velvet flap in the lid drops down to reveal a concealed leather-bound letter wallet on the reverse. The exterior of the letter wallet is marked with ‘Howell, James & Co. – 9 Regent Street’ in gold-tooling.

An inlaid brass plate on the rear internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘W. Leuchars – Manufacturer to the Royal Family – 38 Piccadilly, London’.

A leather label on the interior of the lid bears the gold tooled manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark of, ‘Bramah, Prestage & Ball – 124, Piccadilly. Manufacturers to Her Majesty’.

An inlaid brass plate on the foremost internal rim of the box is engraved with ‘Asprey – Dressing Case Manufacturer – 166 Bond Street’.

Asprey ‘Exhibition’ Piece – Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Brass Inlay and Secret Compartments.

The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark of, ‘Aucoc Ainé à Paris’.

The lock plate is engraved with the manufacturer’s and retailer’s mark of, ‘Jenner & Knewstub – 33 St James’s St – London. Additionally, the lock is engraved with the locksmith’s manufacturer’s mark of ‘S. Mordan & Co – London’.

An ivory manufacturer’s plaque inset to the front rim of the drawer reads, ‘Pearce. Maker. 77 Cornhill London’.

Paper manufacturer’s label belonging to Elizabeth Gaimes of 53 & 54 St Paul’s Churchyard, London.