WICKWAR & CO, 6 POLAND STREET
Manufacturers to H.M. Stationery Office
A Blue Morocco Leather Despatch Box C 1860, the chamfered top gold stamped with the insignia of Queen Victoria and the Royal Crown, and engraved JOHN *THOMAS WAY ESQ above the central handle with *'RIVERS COMMISSION' stamped along the front of the lid.
The interior comprises a removable tray with compartments, a detachable pen tray and the original ink bottle with a cork stopper. Below there is a large storage area. The inside of the lid is covered with diamond trellis banding. The Bramah lock is stamped S. Mordan & Co. London. It retains its original key which is also stamped with the maker's name, and has its original protective metal casing. Wickwar's details are embossed in gold on either side of the lock.
Weight 4.25 kg
Size. 46 x 30.5 x 15 cm
This box is in exceptionally fine and original condition for its age.
Provenance
In response to increasing pressure to act to act on river pollution from Parliament in 1865, The Royal Commission on Rivers Pollution Prevention was established with three commissioners asked to enquire into and gather evidence on the best means of remedying pollution, and rescuing the rivers, and make recommendations for keeping sewage and other pollutants out of rivers without risk to public health.
The three commissioners originally appointed were Robert Rawlinson, John Thornhill Harrison, and John Thomas Way.
