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A Victorian sterling silver 'Castle top' card case and related…
Auction House:
Auction Location:
Melbourne
Date:
30-May-2015
Lot No.
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Description:
A Victorian sterling silver 'Castle top' card case and related objects of British Royal Interest the card case of maker's mark Taylor & Perry, Birmingham, circa 1841 the card case, monogrammed J.M and embossed to one side with a depiction of Newstead Abbey, to the opposing side with the image of Abbotsford house, Scotland and the inscription, 'Flowerburn,' within foliate engraved and bright-cut surrounds, 62grs, 9.5 cm wide; together with a sterling silver cigarette case inscribed J.G.B, of maker's mark J.G Ltd, circa 1919, 88grs, 8.5 cm wide; and a sterling silver cigar box, of maker's mark Csc & Co, Birmingham, circa 1920, inscribed Captain J.G Brownlee / from the officers / 1ST Battalion, Royal Munster Fusiliers / 6th January 1920,' and the armorial crest of the regiment, wood lined interior, 23 cm wide History: the Victorian sterling silver card case and related articles presented here were inherited by the vendor, who is the stepson of J.G Brownlee Junior, the Son of Captain J.G Brownlee, to whom two of the articles are dedicated. Calling cards within the case bear the name 'Mrs J. Gordon Brownlee,' listing addresses in Elsternwick and Burwood, Victoria, in addition to Nam Tu, Federated Shan States, Burma. A handwritten note on one of the cards States 'Leopold, Duke of Albany, Queen Victoria's youngest Son, gave this silver visiting card case to my grandmother who always used it & left it to my mother, P.G.B.' It is believed that the card case was gifted to Queen Victoria by the Mckenzie family and later presented to the relative of the vendor by Prince Leopold, the monarch's youngest Son, to whom she is believed to have been a favourite governess at one time. A Scottish banker by the name of John Mackenzie (1787-1854) is recorded as having been a commissioner for Flowerburn estate and it is possible that the initials on the case are his. Newstead Abbey and Abbotsford house are notable in that they were both the country seats of notable English poets: Lord Byron (Newstead house) and Sir Walter Scott, (Abbotsford house)., the Brownlee is notable in Australian history as having producing the internationally renowned opera singer, John Donald MacKenzie Brownlee (1900-1969).
Estimate:
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Price:
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Category:
Unclassified