Railway Companion By Seabrook

A red leather cased Railway Companion with a glass decanter and tin sandwich case.

The case has a divider to separate the glass and tin. The case lid has a metal mushroom button to each side that fixes to pierced straps to the base. The stopper to the decanter is also a stirrup cup for drinking. The sandwich tin lid is hinged to the short side.

The maker, Seabrook, is noted to a blue oval, paper label that also gives the details of 'The Original Trunk Makers, Corner of St. Pauls, London'. More can be read about the company on our website in Makers. 'Railway Companion' is stamped to the top of the case in gilt.

A good set by a good maker. Late 19th Century.

Railway Companions
The rise in travel by rail in the second half of the 19th century and the need to occupy your time on a long journey, opened up a new market for makers of travel and luxury goods. Railway Companions would provide you with refreshments; games boards that could sit on the knees of two passengers sat opposite each other provided entertainment; kit bag locks could secure your belongs to overhead racks or railings. Railway Companions were made by a few different makers, and some were unnamed. The glass also acting as a stopper for the decanter saved space but also meant a drink could be poured without having to hold or find somewhere to put the stopper whilst doing so.