Handford Patent Light Weight Box
Handford Patent Light Weight Box
A black leather on softwood Light Water Proof Travelling Trunk by T. Handford.
This can probably be classed as a box rather than a trunk but is made to the same design as Handford made his trunks. The lip of the box has a tight seal to the main body with locating pins and an overhanging brass edge to fit into a rebate. The lid is held by brass quadrants and there is a section to the lid interior separated by a board. There is also a drawer to the front of the box which is opened by the removal of a long brass locking pin.
Handford's paper labels, giving his address of 7 Strand, London are fixed to the back of the lid interior board and the drawer. The brass escutcheon plate to the interior board is also stamped Handford Patent below two crowns. The label to the interior board had the owner's details on it which we have now moved above it, to show all of Handford's label. The inscription that we moved notes 'W. Forster Smithe from his uncle Peter Du Cane 1826'.
William Forster Smithe was born in October 1813, the son of Edmund Smithe and Mary Du Cane. In 1826, Peter Du Cane became a silent member of the House of Commons for the borough of Steyning, in the general election. The year before he had been High Sheriff for Essex, where his house Braxted Lodge was situated. He had inherited it from his father, with the family having a history as merchants, Directors of the Bank of England and the East India Company.
This box has been well used and there is wear to the leather and wood in places. The design of brass on black leather is instantly recognizable as the Handford family's work. Dated 1826.
Dimensions:
1826
Brass bound leather on softwood
England
Handford labels & W. Forster Smithe from his uncle Peter Du Cane 1826
Some wear but generally good
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