A full size Victorian Red Leather Despatch Box, originally the property of Sir Walter Wragg. KT.DCL.*. The lid with a recessed brass drop handle, the black Morocco leather interior with crossed leather strips inside the lid for holding memoranda etc. The working lock with key stamped with the Royal Crown, and J.T. NEEDS 100 NEW BOND ST., LATE J. BRAMAH 184 PICCADILLY. Accompanying the box are four contemporary photographs of Sir Walter, two in his judges robes, and two as Knights Bachelor. *Sir Walter (Thomas) Wragg KT., DCL. was born in 1842 and was the son of John P Wragg. He became a puisne judge at Natal in 1883, and was awarded Knight Bachelor in 1891. In 1885 the Natal Colonial Secretary was forced to set up a special Indian Immigrants Commission to investigate the treatment, conditions and complaints of Indian immigrants. This became known as the Wragg Commission led by Mr Justice Walter Thomas Wragg and was contested by Mahatma Gandhi. Sir Walter Wragg is well known for his argument with Gandhi concerning the latter's understanding of Islamic law, in a legal case heard in a Durban court in 1895.
Width: 18 inches / 46 centimetres *
Height: 6 inches / 15 centimetres
Depth: 12 inches / 30.5 centimetres
