Folding Luggage Stand by Henry Ordish & Son

A beech wood Folding Luggage Stand that flat packs when not in use.

The stand's legs are set as pairs and kept in the upright position by an angled brass bar. The bar is riveted to the middle so that it will hinge when pushed and the legs will then fold to fit within the slats that form the top. One pair of legs are narrower than the other so that they will sit neatly next to each other when packed. This reduces the height from 15 to 1 1/2 inches.

Set on the edge, by the gilt brass wire handle, is the maker's label. It notes 'Henry Ordish & Son 5, 6 & 7 Princes St, Harrogate.' It's unlikely that Ordish was the maker but he did retail the stand, with his label added. It is believed that Henry Ordish was born in 1833 and was first based in Leeds. In 1870 he is listed as an auctioneer, commission agent, rent and debt collector and advertising agent at 46 Albion Street, with his home at 119 North Street, Leeds. By 1881, he had moved (or expanded) to Harrogate and is listed under Fancy Repositories with a shop at Princes Street. The census of the same year notes he lived at 2 Princes Street. We don't know if he moved to Harrogate to change his businesses direction or if he continued with his other concerns. The business name in the directory is listed as Ordish Henry giving no indication that his son had joined the business by 1881. Henry died in 1906.

The height of the luggage stand allows it to have further uses as a stool or table if a tray is placed on it. Circa 1900.