JENNER & KNEWSTUB, MAKERS TO THE QUEEN, 35 St. JAMES'S STREET & 66 JERMYN STREET.
A Black Leather covered Dispatch Box by this celebrated maker, presented to Captain William Watson* in 1888 by William Cunard** the President of the Cunard Steamship Line, in recognition of his becoming Honorary Commander in the Royal Navy Reserve (the certificate on vellum in its original envelope is one of the many documents accompanying this dispatch box).
The box has been protected throughout its life inside the original cowhide travelling case, which accounts for its superb condition.
Jenner & Knewstub's name & address is stamped on the inside edge flanking the Bramah lock, and is also engraved on the lock itself. The key is original.
Accompanying documents include:
Certificate on vellum granting Captain Watson a Commission as honorary Commander in the Royal Navy in its original posting envelope + covering handwritten letter from the General Register and Record office.
A decorated obituary of Captain Watson on card from the Liverpool Courier, dated January 22nd 1902.
A detailed invoice from Wylie & Lockheed for ships' furnishings, receipted on January 2nd 1883, and another.
Several letters from Captain Watson to his wife, Nellie, two of which are on Cunard Line's headed paper, and another 'On board R.M.S. Campania'
A mounted sepia photograph of S.S. Campania (1st time at Liverpool landing stage).
Plus many of Captain Watson's handwritten letters to various correspondents, as well as several duplicated letters on tissue.
Weight 4.65 kg
Width: 16" / 41 cm
Height: 6.5" / 16.5 cm
Depth: 10.75" / 27.25 cm
* William Watson was born in 1830 and in 1844 he was bought an apprenticeship in a steam ship company, shipping all his life and finished up with the Cunard Steam Ship Company where he reached the position of General Superintendent. He died whilst serving the company in 1902, leaving a widow and two sons
** William Cunard (1825-1906) was the second son of Sir Samuel Cunard, the founder of The Cunard Shipping Line. He became president of the Cunard Steamship Company in 1871.
