Summary: Add a vintage touch to your collection with this E.J. Trevitt & Sons Enamel Painted Sterling Silver Cigarette Case, dating back to 1925. The Art Deco style and intricate pattern make it a truly unique piece. Crafted from the finest sterling silver (.925) and carefully hand-painted with enamel, this antique cigarette case is a must-have for collectors and enthusiasts alike. Its age and history speak for themselves, making it a valuable addition to any collection focused on Cigarette & Vesta Cases, Sterling Silver (.925), Silver, or Antiques. Don't miss out on the opportunity to own a piece of history with this exquisite E.J. Trevitt & Sons Enamel Painted Sterling Silver Cigarette Case.

Condition: The hinge is fully functional, and the cigarette case seals perfectly without tightness or looseness prevailing. The enamel paint and gold painted border remains vibrant with little indication of age. The structure of the cigarette case has a minor dent on the back of the case, as shown in pictures, and features minor scratches in the inside. The cigarette holding bands within the case are still in-tact and are not loose/worn significantly.  In great condition for being over 80 years old!

Dimensions: 106 grams - Length: 3.4 in, Width: 2.7 in.

History: As for the Chester assay markings, this cigarette case can be dated to 1925. The maker's mark features E.J. Trevitt & Sons, whose business mark was registered with the Chester Assay office. More scrupulously, this cigarette case is after the age of Enoch James Trevitt, who died in 1913. Being before the company began primarily producing cigarette cases in 1949, this case serves as an early example of one of their productions.

The name "E.J. Trevitt & Sons" pertains to Enoch James Trevitt, and his sons Charles, James, and Alfred Trevitt.  Enoch (1838 - 1913), was the son of John Trevitt (born 1817), husband of Amelia Beavon (3). John Trevitt was the son of Henry Trevitt (born 1787 in Nantwich), husband of Catharine Barnett (born 1786) (3). Interestingly, Henry and John Trevitt emigrated to the USA, and are discoverable in the 1850 US census in Allegheny, Pennsylvania (3). Seemingly Enoch stayed back in England, raising a considerable family within the Chester and Birmingham areas. Enoch's earliest traces in employment are seen with a partnership formed at 81 Spencer Street with John Nichols through 1878 to 1880, manufacturing as jewelers and silversmiths (3). Thus the name Nicholls & Trevitt is registered, which changes with the removal of a 'l' from nicholls in 1882 (3). From 1883 to 1884, the numbering for the directories changed and thus 81 Spencer Street became 34 Spencer Street (3). Without accord, the brand name changes from "Nichols & Trevitt" to "E.J. Trevitt & Sons, moving operations to 29 Augusta Street (3). From 1908 to 1921, the company remained as "manufacturing Jewellers”, and changed to "manufacturing silversmiths" in 1932 through 1943 (3), registering two hallmarks with the Chester assay office, one in july of 1900, and another in october of 1907 (1, 2, & 3). The company manufactered a variety of silver goods, ranging from cigarette cases, anointing spoons, Vesta cases, napkin rings, &c (1 & 2). The company also registered its hallmarks with the Birmingham assay office in the 1900s (1). During the second world war, the companny is not listed, and perhaps went under or focused on the war effort (3)? However in 1949, "E.J. Trevitt & Sons Ltd. was registered as "cigarette case makers" operating out of 33 Northhampton street (3). Of notable mention, cigarette cases are the only recorded silver product with their maker's mark from Birmingham and Chester under references 1 & 2, thus implying a focus of production. By the 7th of July, 1913, Enoch James Trevitt died at a nursing home in Birmingham - "Bungalow Eastern Road Wylde Green Warwickshire '' (3). With the death of Enoch in 1913, and the changing of the occupation from jewelers to silversmiths, one can deduce that this cigarette case was created by one of the sons or the company's employees.

Individually, Enoch and Charles were known as jewelers, Alfred as a tool maker, and Frank as a die sinker's apprentice (3). The family (father) owned the residence of 179 Heathfield Road, Handsworth, Staffordshire, while Charles and Alfred moved frequently (3). Charles was listed in 1895 to 1897 under the address of 39 Hampton Road, Birchfield, in 1899 to 1903 under 194 Church hill Road, Handsworth, and in 1904 under 19 Church hill road, Handsworth (3). Alfred was listed under 85 Whitehall Road, Handsworth in 1903, and 103 Hampstead Road in 1904 to 1905 (3). Alfred and Charles have not been found registered with a private residence in 1908, however Frank was (3).

Important: Offering a 30-day return period, and open to negotiations on matters of price. Shipments costs cover packaging and labels. Please reach out to me if you're interested in receiving more information or photos of the antique. Shipments will be sent out upon payments. Measurements can be rough and of human error, if you'd like a re-measurement for clarity purposes please message me. IMPORTANT: Please make sure the right address is sent to me, I will verify this in an email before I ship to you.

References: 

1. https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Chester-T.html

2. https://www.silvermakersmarks.co.uk/Makers/Birmingham-TA-TB.html#T&

3. https://www.british-genealogy.com/forum/threads/67265-silversmith-search-1891-1901