WICKWAR & CO. 6, POLAND STREET, MANUFACTURERS TO H.M. STATIONERY OFFICE.
A Red Morocco Leather Governmental Despatch Box bearing Edward VII's Royal Insignia, and the gilt 'M' monogram and crown for Charles Spencer-Churchill, the 9th Duke of Marlborough*. The black leather cloth lined interior with raised sides and locating pins, the lock stamped Bramah & Co., 2 Nottingham Street W.1. with original key
Weight 3.75 kg
Dimensions 46 x 30.5 x 6 cm
*Charles, Richard, John Spencer-Churchill (1871-1934). British Soldier & politician, life long friend of his first cousin, Winston Churchill.
1892 Entered the House of Lords on the death of his father.
1899 Appointed Paymaster- General by Lord Salisbury.
1903-5 Under Secretary of State for the Colonies under Arthur Balfour.
1899 Sworn in as Member of the Privy Council.
During World War I he was Joint Parliamentary Secretary to the Board of Agriculture & Fisheries in David Lloyd Georges coalition government.
Shortly before the coronation of King Edward VII and Queen Alexandra he was invested as a Knight of the Order of the Garter. He subsequently served as Lord High Steward at the coronation.
The Duke of Marlborough was Mayor of Woodstock between 1907 and 1909, and Lord Lieutenant of Oxfordshire from 1915 until his death.
His first wife was the American railroad heiress Consuelo Vanderbilt, whom he married on 6 November 1895. The marriage was a mercenary one. Inheriting his near-bankrupt dukedom in 1892, he was forced to find a quick and drastic solution to the financial problems of his family, and the future of Blenheim Palace, the historic seat of the Dukes of Marlborough. The Vanderbilt dowry was used to restore Blenheim Palace, and replenish its furnishings and library. They had two sons, John Spencer-Churchill, Marquess of Blandford, eventually the 10th Duke of Marlborough, and Lord Ivor Spencer-Churchill. His second wife was Gladys Deacon, another American.
For more details please refer to his Wikipedia page;
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Charles_Spencer-Churchill,_9th_Duke_of_Marlborough
