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.

Paper label bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, John Farthing of 42 Cornhill, London.

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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Two Concealed Drawers, by John Farthing.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Two Concealed Drawers, by John Farthing.

Paper label bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, Halstaff & Hannaford of 228 Regent Street, 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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut by Halstaff & Hannaford.

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut by Halstaff & Hannaford.

Paper label bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, Edwards of 21 King Street, Bloomsbury Square, 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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by David Edwards.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood by David Edwards.

The manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, 'Edwards - 21 King Strt - Holborn' has been stamped into the wood.

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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander Wood, by Edwards.

Antique Jewellery Box in Calamander Wood, by Edwards.

Paper label bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, George Palmer of 1 St James's 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 interior of the letter wallet is this paper label belonging to the manufacturer and retailer, George Palmer of 1 St James’s Street, London.

Antique Box in Cuban Mahogany with Brass Strapping.

Antique Box in Cuban Mahogany with Brass Strapping.

Paper label bearing the manufacturer's mark of, William Dobson of 166 Strand, 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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Foliate Brass Inlay.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood with Foliate Brass Inlay.

Engraved brass plate bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, Jenner & Knewstub of 33 St James's Street and 66 Jermyn Street, 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’.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Jenner & Knewstub.

Manufacturer's and retailer's mark of Howell, James & Co of 9 Regent Street, London.

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.

Antique Jewellery Box in Amboyna, by Howell, James & Co.

Antique Jewellery Box in Amboyna, by Howell, James & Co.

Engraved brass plate bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, William Leuchars of 38 Piccadilly, London.

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’.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Leuchars.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel by Leuchars.

Manufacturer's and retailer's mark of Bramah, Prestage & Ball of 124 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’.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood, by Bramah, Prestage & Ball.

Antique Jewellery Box in Rosewood, by Bramah, Prestage & Ball.

Engraved brass plate bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of, Charles Asprey of 166 Bond Street, London.

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.

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

Engraved lock plate bearing 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, ‘Aucoc Ainé à Paris’.

Antique Nécessaire de Voyage Dressing Case in Ebony with Floral Brass Inlay by Aucoc Ainé à Paris.

Antique Nécessaire de Voyage Dressing Case in Ebony with Floral Brass Inlay by Aucoc Ainé à Paris.

Engraved lock plate bearing the manufacturer's and retailer's mark of Jenner & Knewstub, as well as the locksmith's mark of S. Mordan & Co.

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’.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Countess Coronet, by Jenner & Knewstub.

Antique Jewellery Box in Coromandel with Countess Coronet, by Jenner & Knewstub.

Ivory plaque bearing the manufacturer's mark of Joseph Pearce of 77 Cornhill, London.

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

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Joseph Pearce

Antique Jewellery Box in Burr Walnut, by Joseph Pearce

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

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