Victorian Leather Large Writing Box.

Beautifully fitted with ivory ruler and two page turners or paper knives, this superior writing box is in very complete and excellent condition. Large size, it measures (closed) 16.5 cm high by 37 cm wide and 27 cm deep (6.1/2 inches by 14.1/2 inches by 10.1/2 inches). It has a carry handle on the lid, engraved with the two initials C entwined. Box opens to reveal three white panels of what could be mica - cold and hard to the touch. On these you could write yourself notes, and clean them off when dealt with. (Two of these have cracks, but still very usable). At the rear of these is a lift-out pen tray with further pen compartment underneath. One side of the pen tray has a square leather cased lift-out inkwell with spring top (some corrosion to the lid interior of the actual bottle). The other side houses an identical case, but this is labelled “Light” and houses a striker for a match with a lid to the match keep underneath. There is a little brass mounted holder, in which you could prop the lit match while you melted your wax for the seal on your letter. The lower base lid folds open for the writing slope, and underneath the slope are further compartments for letter storage etc. The top lid has compartments for unused letterheads and envelopes. The back compartment houses a matching folder, probably for blotting paper and half-finished letters. There are three ivory implements housed here - one ruler, with the name of Parkins & Gotto, Oxford Street, London on it. One short page turner, and one large paperknife - probably to slit your newspapers open, as they used to be folded uncut. Beautiful item all round.