A George V Red Leather Despatch Box 1930-1935 stamped SIR HAROLD BOWDEN, BART., G.B.E.* with recessed brass handle and Bramah lock. The black leather cloth interior with diamond pattern trellis work inside lid.
Weight 3.65 kg
Size 45.5 x 31 x 15 cm
*Harold Bowden b 1880, d 1960. The son of Sir Frank Bowden, who founded The Raleigh Bicycle Company in 1887 in Nottingham. Harold became chairman and Managing Director on the death of his father in 1921, a position he then held for 17 years. He was also chairman of Sturmey-Archer Gears Ltd which had been taken over by his father in 1902.
Sir Harold succeeded to the baronetcy on the death of his father in 1921 and eight years later he was created a Knight Grand Cross, Order of the British Empire (G.B.E.).
He was appointed to the office of High Sheriff of Nottinghamshire in 1933.
From 1930-1934 he served as Chairman of the British Olympic Association, raising over £10,000 to take the British team to Los Angeles for the 1932 Summer Olympic Games.
