Description: JB502 A brass bound mahogany gentleman's campaign  dressing box by D. Edwards, Holborn, London the compartmentalized interior with supplementary lids, all  lined with red embossed Morocco leather and containing steel boot-strap pullers pewter containers for ointments and shaving soap (P & R Hendri)  a bone shaving brush,  razors, and for sharpening "S. ESTCOURT'S CRITERION STROP" Circa 1810.

Origin: UK

Circa: 1810

Size:  26 cm wide by 19 cm by  70 cm: 10.2  inches 7.5 wide by  inches by  2.8 inches.

Condition: Wear and tear as would be expected of a box that has seen life. But good over all, gentle patina Working lock with key.  See images.

The work is of very high quality. The brass is not only decorative but protects the edges. The wood is all quarter sawn for stability and the construction of the box is with full blind dovetails. the brass is held in place by brass pins which would be driven in at a slant.

The compartmentalized interior with supplementary lids, all  lined with red embossed Morocco leather and containing steel boot-strap pullers pewter containers for ointments and shaving soap (P & R Hendri)  a bone shaving brush,  razors, and for sharpening "S. ESTCOURT'S CRITERION STROP" Circa 1810.

At this date the box would have been specially  fitted out for the customers requirements. 

Pewter soap container marked:

P & R. HENDRIE
12 TITCHBORNE ST.
LONDON

Hendrie was a soap manufacturer in 19th C. 

I found them mentioned  as part of a successful remedy for crab-lice in the British Medical Journal of September 20 1873.

The story gave me such an insight into social attitude of the period that I have republished the story in  full on the right:. 

  

Another quotation I found  in 1854:

".. better still, in many cases, is a soap containing a small quantity of Barbadoes tar, called Hendrie's petroline soap., the daily use of which is peculiarly ..." 

 "CASE VII. Pruritus: Pediculi Pubis._ The patient,  M.L., aged 21 was single. Her mother requested me to see her daughter, as she had for some weeks past complained of intolerable itching in the pubic region which had gradually extended down to the calves of the legs. It produced such an amount of distress that sleep was almost impossible, and precluded her going into society from an uncontrollable desire to allay the irritation by friction. She was a particularly neat and cleanly in her person, had no leucorrhoea, and was far above any suspicion of pediculi or any venereal disorder, being a lady in every sense of the word. Not wishing to subject her to the distress of a pudendal examination, I requested permission to inspect her legs, which presented evident traces of much irritation, more especially along the inner surfaces of the tibiae, where the skin was covered with hair; beyond the appearance of numerous small bloodstained points, no rash was detected. On examining more closely with a pocket magnifying glass, I discovered several specimens of pediculus ferox, or crab-louse, closely attached to shafts of the hairs, and as usual, evincing no disposition to let go their hold. The only explanation she could give for their presence was having caught them from a closet at a confectioner's. and was  A warm bath and the employment of Hendrie's soap, with a lotion composed of perchloride of mercury gr. xvi, rectified spirit Bii, and rose water Bviii, soon allayed the irritation , the spirit serving to dissolve the nits.  The use of the lotion was persevered with for a few days to avoid any relapse, although the itching ceased after the first applications.." British Medical Journal of September 20 1873.

The box is labeled:

 D. EDWARDS
Copying Machines, Portable Desks, Dressing Cases &c.
By the Manufacturer.
21 King Street, Holborn, London

EDWARDS: 21 King St. Holborn, also Bloomsbury , and for one year, 1813-14 at 84 St. James Str. 1813-1848d. A formidable maker of luxury boxes. David Edwards, and Thomas Edwards (1832-39). The Family connection established through bills. Made for the Royal family. Used kingwood and rosewood extensively. Also mahogany for what he claimed to be "patent travelling cases". Writing boxes and dressing boxes mostly in Regency styles. All Edwards boxes are of impeccable quality.

See: pages  254, 294 Antique Boxes, Tea Caddies, and Society, 1700--1880 
Antigone Clarke & Joseph O'Kelly, ISBN: 0764316885.
For an example of an Edwards sewing box see: hygra.com/uk/sb/sb104/ 

 The box contains two cut throat razors the handle of one decorated with piqué work in silver. 

Webster George, merchant and razor manufacturer, 33 Howard street From Whites Directory of Sheffield 1852 Huntsman, Nine Hounds and a Stag,
Webster George, razor manufacturer, 47 Burgess street; house: 91 Leadmill road From Whites Directory of Sheffield 1852

And for sharpening "S. ESTCOURT'S CRITERION STROP" 

S. ESTCOURT'S CRITERION STROP

Is so admirably adapted for RENOVATING RAZORS, PEN KNIVES, and Surgeons's Instruments as  entirely to supersede every other Article, for the purpose of giving a perfect keen and smooth edge to  Razors, &c. which may be easily accomplished by laying the Razor Flat, pressing light, and drawing it from Heel to Point, and from End to End of the Strop; remembering always to finish on the Light Side, the Dark being the Criterion Side, to give a dull Razor a sharp keen Edge.--2s.6d.

 Advert in the London Times of 8th June 1813  for  The Criterion Strop.

 Foldable turned steel boot-strap pullers.

 Turned bone shaving brush.

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