Green Leather Despatch Box by Seabrook

A green leather on softwood Despatch Box with name plate for Helen Tasker.

The leather is heavily decorated with both gold and blind tooling. The box has a gilt brass carrying handle to the top and a ring pull handle to the front. The lock has a shaped and pierced escutcheon. When opened the lid is held up by a ribbon to each side. The interior is lined in blue and white printed paper and has a lip to the base section to give a good fit to the top. The box sits on sledge feet to the front and back running from side to side.

The back of the lid has a small printed label noting the maker's details of 'Seabrook, 5 Corn.r St. Pauls Ch. Yd' the London luggage maker.

The box has an engraved brass name plate to the front of the lid which has taken on a dark patina. The owner's name is given as 'Miss Helen Anne Tasker'. Helen Tasker was born in 1823 the daughter of Joseph Tasker, a rich businessman associated with the United Mexican Mining Association. Tasker owned numerous properties across England but they lived mostly at Middleton Hall, Shenfield, Essex. Helen's brother had died at sea aged 25 and she inherited her father's property and wealth. Her family were active Catholics and Helen was made a Countess by Pope Pius IX in 1870. She never married and died in 1888.

A few different generations of Seabrooks ran the family business from Robert to George. More details can be read about the company on our website under Makers. If it wasn't for Helen Tasker's name plate you date this box to the early 19th century. It is possible Helen was given it whilst very young or it belonged to another family member previously. The box does have some wear to the leather at the edges and the odd air bubble where it has lifted from the wood but this is a good looking box with a nice colour. Early 19th Century.