CARD CASE STERLING SILVER ANTIQUE VICTORIAN Hilliard & Thomason Birmingham

When you click on links to various merchants on this site and make a purchase, this can result in this site earning a commission. Affiliate programs and affiliations include, but are not limited to, the eBay Partner Network.

CARD CASE STERLING SILVER ANTIQUE VICTORIAN Hilliard & Thomason Birmingham:
$228.05

This card case was made by the renowned firm of Hilliard and Thomason, (see below) and assayed in Birmingham, most probably in 1881, the date mark being somewhat rubbed.
The latest possible date is 1890 as that is the last year in which the duty mark (Queen Victoria\'s head) was used;
It has stylised tendril and flower decoration, with a central cartouche on the front, which bears the monogram \"LWT\" in upper case cursive.
The back shows a central bouquet.
The case is in overall very good antique condition, with a few minor pinpricks.
The hinge is intact but a little loose.
The lid closes securely.The dimensions are 9 x 6.5 x 0.6 cm (3.5 x 2.6 x 0.2 in)
The case holds business cards which are a maximum of 8.9 x 6 cm (3.4 x 2.3 in)The weight is: 71.5 gm (2.3 troy oz).The hallmarks
Maker: H & T for Hilliard and Thomason
Duty Mark: Head of Queen Victoria
Assay Mark: Lion Passant for Sterling
Town Mark: Anchor for Birmingham
Date Mark: probably lower case \"g\" for 1881.About Hilliard and ThomasonJohn Hillliard established his business in 1837/8 in Birmingham. In 1840 John Thomason joined his business and they started to trade as Hilliard & Thomason. This partnership was well-known as a small-maker, specialized in snuff box, vinaigretts and wine label.At the Great Exhibition of 1851 in London, Hilliard & Thomason, described as manufacturers, showed \"Silver fish-knives and forks, taper-stands, brooches, bracelets, corals, card-cases, knife, fork and spoon, card-baskets, snuff-boxes, paper and cake knives bouquet holders, mustards and salts, and a variety of other fancy goods.\" (Official Catalogue)They were also represented with similar items at the International Exhibition of 1862 when they were members of The Birmingham Committee.This business is said to be purchased by Taylor & Perry of Birmingham, successors to Joseph Taylor before 1860 however they continued on their account of Hilliard & Thomason at 1 & 3 Spencer Street, Birmingham, even after the death or retirement of John Hilliard in 1870.At the Birmingham Exhibition of 1886 John Thomason exhibited \"samples of sterling silver goods, which, although not occupying a great space, yet serve to show the variety of his wares...\"