Silver Presentation Inkwell for a Marriage of a Famous Surgeon

This sterling silver presentation inkwell is an historical piece of Welsh social history, assayed in Birmingham for the year 1922.

Hallmark Identification

The markings visible on the side and interior of the silver mount reveal its origin:

• Maker’s Mark (A & J Z): These are the initials for A & J Zimmerman Ltd, prolific silversmiths based in Regent Place, Birmingham. They were renowned for producing substantial, high-quality “Stationers’ Hardware” like this capstan-style inkwell.
• Lion Passant: This “walking lion” confirms the piece is made of .925 sterling silver.
• Anchor Symbol: This is the town mark for the Birmingham Assay Office.
• Date Letter (x): The lowercase “x” in a clipped-corner shield confirms the assay year of 1922–1923.

Description

The inkwell features a capstan or “trench” design, a popular early 20th-century aesthetic that favored heavy, geometric stability.

• Base and Insert: The wide, square base tapers toward the top and is finished with a felted underside. It contains its original square clear glass insert, which sits securely within the silver housing.
• Lid: The heavy, square lid is attached by a sturdy piano hinge.
• Border: The base is accented with a reeded or “bamboo-style” border.

The Welsh Dedication Decoded

The engraving on the front is written in Welsh. It reads:

“Dr & Mrs R.J. Jones / Oddiwrth Blant Band of Hope / Ramilies Road / At Achlysur Eupriodas / Ionawr 1922”

Translation and Context:

• Oddiwrth Blant: “From the children”.
• Band of Hope: A prominent 19th and early 20th-century Temperance organization for children that promoted total abstinence from alcohol.
• Ramilies Road: Refers to the location of the specific chapel or school room (the Ramillies Road Chapel in Liverpool, which had a strong Welsh-speaking congregation).
• At Achlysur Eupriodas: “On the occasion of their marriage”.
• Ionawr 1922: “January 1922”.

What it means: This inkwell was a wedding gift presented in January 1922 to Dr. and Mrs. R.J. Jones by the children belonging to the Band of Hope temperance group associated with the chapel on Ramillies Road. It represents a significant communal gesture, as such high-quality silver would have been a major purchase for a youth organization.

Identifying Dr. R. J. Jones

The most likely candidate for the recipient of this gift is Dr. Reginald Watson Jones (later known as Sir Reginald Watson-Jones), a titan of British orthopaedic surgery.

• The Marriage & Date: He was born Reginald Jones in 1902 and graduated from the University of Liverpool School of Medicine in 1922.
• The “Jones” Distinction: To distinguish himself from the many other medical “Joneses” in Liverpool—including his famous mentor, Sir Robert Jones—he adopted his mother’s maiden name, becoming Watson-Jones shortly after beginning his career.
• The Location: Ramillies Road is located in the Mossley Hill/Penny Lane area of Liverpool. In the early 20th century, this area was home to a vibrant Welsh-speaking community and a Welsh Presbyterian Chapel (the Ramillies Road Church).
• The Band of Hope: This was a popular temperance organization for children. It was common for these church-affiliated groups to present high-quality silver gifts to esteemed members of the congregation on major life milestones like a marriage or a university graduation.

Professional Legacy

Assuming this inkwell belonged to Dr. Reginald Watson-Jones, it sat on the desk of a man who changed the course of modern medicine:

• The “Bible” of Surgery: He authored Fractures and Joint Injuries (1940), which became the definitive global textbook on the subject for decades.
• Royal Surgeon: He served as the Orthopaedic Surgeon to King George VI and was knighted for his contributions to the field.
• Wartime Innovation: During WWII, his meticulous techniques for treating fractures saved countless lives and helped establish the modern standard for rehabilitating injured soldiers.