{"product_id":"silver-plated-cigarette-case","title":"Antique Albo Silver NCR Co Reg Cigarette Case, Hand-Engraved Floral and Leaf Spray, HCB Monogram, Dated March 18 1903, Edwardian, Damage Present","description":"\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSomeone marked a date on this. March 18, 1903.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe front face of this silver-plate cigarette case is covered entirely in hand-engraved decoration: starflower and clematis blooms with curling stems and fine leaf sprays worked across every surface, leaving only a central oval cartouche reserved for the personal. Inside that oval, a script monogram in flowing cursive, HCB, and beneath it the date: March 18 1903. No salutation. No occasion named. Just the initials and the day, which is often the most affecting kind of inscription.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case was made by N.C. Reading \u0026amp; Co. of Birmingham, England, trading under their registered Albo Silver trademark, first registered c.1886. Reading \u0026amp; Co. were known principally for Albert watch chains, vesta cases, and small accessories of the same quality: white metal alloy with a heavy silver cladding, built to last and to be carried. A cigarette case in Albo Silver is a less common form from this maker, and the 1903 date places it seventeen years into the trademark's production life, firmly in the Edwardian period.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThe case predates the First World War. It was already someone's pocket object when the Edwardian era was still new, carried through a time that would look almost unrecognisably different from our own within a decade. The reverse is plain and undecorated, gently curved for the pocket, with denting present to the lower portion.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMarked to the interior rim of both halves: ALBO SILVER NCR Co REG. The interior is bare metal throughout, tarnished and spotted with age, with the original elasticated retainer straps present but heavily degraded. No lining remains.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cspan style=\"text-decoration: underline;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eThe Particulars:\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaker: N.C. Reading \u0026amp; Co., Birmingham, England, trading as Albo Silver, trademark registered c.1886\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eType: Cigarette case, rectangular, silver-plate on white metal alloy\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDate: Inscribed March 18 1903, Edwardian\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExterior front: All-over hand-engraved floral and leaf spray, starflower and clematis blooms, reserved oval cartouche with HCB script monogram and date\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExterior reverse: Plain, undecorated, denting present to lower portion\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eInterior: Bare metal, tarnished and spotted, degraded elasticated retainer straps, no lining remaining\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMarks: ALBO SILVER NCR Co REG to interior rim of both halves\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCondition: Denting to reverse, tarnishing throughout, retainer straps degraded. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA small utilitarian relic with one date pressed into its surface and no further explanation offered.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eArrives tucked inside its own treasure coffin and carefully wrapped as a vault relic, ready for gifting or keeping.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Vaen’kai Vault","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":54881870414163,"sku":"VKVAD-H011","price":162.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/1085\/2771\/4643\/files\/DSC_7200.jpg?v=1788797970","url":"https:\/\/vaenkaivault.com\/products\/silver-plated-cigarette-case","provider":"Vaen’kai Vault","version":"1.0","type":"link"}