Victorian-era Traveling Inkwell – Hallmarked 1867

This Victorian-era traveling inkwell is designed to be both leak-proof for transit and elegant for use upon arrival.

The Manufacturer and Hallmarks

The hallmarks on the silver collar and lid confirm it was made by Wright & Davies (Charles Wright & Frederick Davies) of London.

• The Maker’s Mark: The initials “W.D” in a rectangular shield represent Wright & Davies, a firm highly regarded for their “luxury smalls,” including dressing cases and writing equipment.
• The Date Letter: The Gothic small letter “m” identifies the year of manufacture as 1867.
• The City Mark: The Leopard’s Head confirms the piece was assayed in London.
• The Purity Mark: The Lion Passant (walking lion) indicates the top is solid .925 sterling silver.

Description and Mechanism

• The Lid: The sterling silver lid is spring-loaded and features a sophisticated mechanical closure. When the small silver push-button on the front is depressed, the lid snaps open.
• The Seal: Inside the lid is a thick rubber washer. When the lid is snapped shut and locked, this washer is pressed firmly against the glass rim of the internal well, creating an airtight, leak-proof seal—essential for a gentleman traveling by carriage or rail.
• The Monogram: The top of the lid is engraved with an interlaced Ciphers/Monogram in a flowing Victorian script. It appears to be the initials “E S C” or “C S E”, with the “C” being the most prominent central character.
• The Base: The body is protected by a leather-bound exterior.

The Leather Marking: “V R” and the Crown

The gold-tooled marking on the front of the leather is significant. It features a Royal Crown situated between the letters “V” and “R”.

• The Meaning: This stands for Victoria Regina (Queen Victoria).
• Significance: This indicates the inkwell was Government Issue or part of a Royal Commission. These markings were typically placed on items used by the British Civil Service, the War Office, or members of the Royal Household during the mid-to-late 19th century.
• The Connection: Finding a Wright & Davies silver top (a high-end maker) on a “V.R.” marked traveling inkwell suggests this may have been part of a high-ranking official’s dispatch box or a piece of field equipment for a government representative.

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