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Description

the wooden case of rectangular form finished in black leather with brass fittings and signed locks, the top with hinged carrying handle over a brass plate engraved with the crest and motto of Robert Peter Laurie and with 'RL' monogram; the first section, under the hinged cover, a writing station with leather-bound blotter, signed inkwell, vesta and removable pen tray, the inner cover marked 'Asprey Manufacturer to her Majesty 166 Bond St' and fitted with dark blue elasticated stationery retainers; the second, under the first section, a grooming kit with 9 silver topped glass containers, 6 with London hallmarks for Sterling silver, 1862, with maker's marks for Brownett & Rose (Abraham Brownett & John Rose) and stamped 'Asprey 166 Bond St', two removable compartments containing clothes and hair brushes, a removable tray containing shaving and manicure items and underneath a sharpening whetstone in a leather sheath, all the larger items with 'RL' monogram; the third, under the second section, a secret spring-loaded fitted jewellery drawer lined in purple velvet, activated by a concealed button, with removable mirror and three trays, 40 x 28 x 15cm, together with a leather covered pocket weather station, marked 'Asprey London', of circular form, the cover with silver hinge, 7cm in diameter, 3.5cm in height (A/F) (2)

Footnote: Robert Peter Laurie, CB VD (24 October 1835 – 29 July 1905) was a British Conservative Party politician. He was educated at Tonbridge School. In 1859, he joined the Queen Victoria's Rifles, a volunteer force which later became the 3rd City of London Rifle Volunteer Corps. He was one of the first officers commissioned, as a Captain in 1861, then Major in 1864 and Lieutenant-Colonel Commandant in 1867. The hallmarked silver items in this example are dated 1862, so it is likely the case was purchased for military use during this time. In 1879, he was elected as MP for Canterbury. At the 1885 general election, he contested the two-seat Bath constituency. He narrowly missed winning the second seat but when Bath's Conservative MP, Robert Blaine, retired at the 1886 general election, Laurie was elected in his place, and held the seat until he stood down at the 1892 general election. Laurie was made Master of the Worshipful Company of Saddlers in 1887 and was made a Companion of the Order of the Bath (CB) in the same year. He was one of the first recipients of the Volunteer Officers' Decoration (VD) when it was instituted in 1892.

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