Antique Writing Box

[LightHand]

Hello Penfolk,

Happy Fountain Pen Day! I purchased this writing box at an estate auction with no clear idea of how to proceed.

 

I am hoping that someone recognises the building on the front. The only identifier is a sticker under the pen holder that reads,"F.L.Hausberg, Goldsmith & Jeweller, old Post Office Buildings, Liverpool".

Admittedly it's in rough shape but is quite lovely.

 

Any information would be greatly appreciated.

Edited November 4, 2016 by LightHand

[RMN]

Nice writing box. I'll move your question to the paraphernalia section. We get some nice pics of one every now and then.

 

 

D.ick

[pen lady]

Hi there, I'll bet this is the first time anything from Mike's has appeared on FPN! Good luck with your investigation, it's a lovely piece.

Edited November 4, 2016 by pen lady

[Joe in Seattle]

Pic is almost certainly something like Windsor Castle.

[darrin1200]

That is a beautiful box. A you planning to restore it?

[LightHand]

That is a beautiful box. A you planning to restore it?

Thank you! I don't have the skills to restore something this intricate. The squares are about 1mm each. I was going to use it, but its delicate condition concerns me.

[darrin1200]

The box itself looks in great shape. I was more thinking about the red writing surface.

[my63]

I think the picture is Warwick castle F.L.Hausberg were associated with a very well known maker of Tunbridge ware by Henry Hollamby

 

Here is a needle work box with the same picture and from the same retailer made around 1885

 

http://www.onlinegalleries.com/art-and-antiques/detail/tunbridge-ware-needlework-box/223647

 

It is a fantastic box I would suggest you use it and enjoy it if you want to restore it I would be happy to help you.

 

Michael

[my63]

There is a similar writing box further down the same page but with a different picture

 

http://www.onlinegalleries.com/art-and-antiques/detail/tunbridge-ware-writing-slope/98387

 

Going by the age I would have expected a velvet cover like yours as original although there are some with leather skivers which may have been later additions.

Edited November 6, 2016 by my63

[LightHand]

Thanks so much Michael. You have been enormously helpful with your answers. I am not sure how to proceed but would welcome any suggestions.

 

Cheers,

Marie

[my63]

Hi Marie

I guess it depends on what you would like to do with the box. If you plan to use it at home on a desk then i would suggest you replace the writing surface. I have never been able to find a velvet that i was happy with so i would advise a leather replacement.

​The old velvet will just pull off the hide glue left behind is a little harder to remove I use an old steam iron to warm up the glue and a small scraper to remove it I have also used warm water and a small stiff paint brush.

Care needs to be taken as the whole box is held together with this glue. hide glue is now available in bottles but I would suggest the leather replacement is glued down with walpaper paste or P V A.

The small pieces that have been knocked off can be glued back in place using hide glue if you wish but I use PVA on my writing slopes.

I hope this helps I have details of a supplier of quality skivers who ships internationally if you require it.

I started a thread some years ago https://www.fountainpennetwork.com/forum/topic/224142-writing-slope-dilema/

 

Michael

[richardandtracy]

Have to agree about the castle identification. When I first saw the photo I thought 'Warwick Castle', and found this image of the right hand tower when looking from the river (via Google earth):

http://static.panoramio.com/photos/large/55690375.jpg

 

Regards,

 

Richard.

[PaperDarts]

What a wonderful find. I hope you'll be able to use it for many years.

My vote is for Warwick Castle too - the towers aren't quite the same as the view I'm used to, but the ruined bridge cinches it for me. (I have an in-law who lives very near the castle).

[LightHand]

Thank you all so much for your replies, they have been a world of help! The question now remains for me, do I keep it, or sell it?

I will need to have some thinks about it because I'm loathe to start yet another project when I already have so many on the go...

[darrin1200]

If you are looking to use it for yourself, you would not need to restore the entire box. The dings and missing pieces are a part of its history. If the hinges and glue joints are all solid, you should only need to replace the writing surface material.

 

If does require more intricat work, and you do decide that you want to part with it, let me know how much you are asking. I wouldn't mind a project box.

[PAKMAN]

Wonderful find! Congrats!

[Shangas]

Resurfacing the writing slope itself is pretty easily done. Just keep in mind that when this box was new - it was all done with fabric and glue. No nails, screws or rivets were used. So you'll need a strong fabric and a strong glue to hold it all together.