PLEASE NOTE BEFORE BIDDING/BUYING: Any international or overseas buyers please check how much SHIPPING and SALES TAX is going cost to your country by using the drop down box below.
I use the Global Shipping Program - This will show you the cost they charge for THEIR postage and packing only. You will be able to see the import charges at checkout. I am offering FREE postage to the GSP shipping hub in the UK only.
ITEM DESCRIPTION
This is an antique blue leather bound large Ministerial briefcase with King George V's Royal Cypher embossed and picked out in gold on the centre of the lid.
It is a small suitcase sort of size and quite a bit larger than most of the other official despatch - briefcases used by Royalty and Politicians during their time in office that I have had before.
This briefcase belonged to James Henry Thomas (1874-1949) who was a British Trade Unionist and Labour Politician and Secretary of State for the Colonies in office 3 times between 1924 and 1936.
This is only one of his very important jobs from humble beginnings.
Life story is very interesting and then became rather like it is now in the Political news with the smears and resignations from wrongdoings etc.
He had a very interesting life if you want to read the many pages on google.
He was involved in a political scandal involving budget leaks ( from this very official briefcase I would imagine )
He would have used this case during his time in office.
The case is made from a light but sturdy wood with a dark navy leather covering apart from the base and inside.
The case is made from a light but sturdy wood with a dark navy leather covering apart from the base and inside.
Manufactured by John Peck & Son, Blackfriars. ( Important makers of these Ministerial Despatch Red and other colour leather official boxes )
Interestingly, the BRAMAH Lock keyhole is on the bottom of the case. The case comes with its original key attached by a long length of chain ( which is a later addition to keep the key with the case ). The lock is branded PECK & SONS but it is a Bramah type and the key too. The carry handle is substantial and brass. Quality.
Interestingly, the BRAMAH Lock keyhole is on the bottom of the case. The case comes with its original key attached by a long length of chain ( which is a later addition to keep the key with the case ). The lock is branded PECK & SONS but it is a Bramah type and the key too. The carry handle is substantial and brass. Quality.
So just think what documents have been in this Ministerial - Despatch briefcase as well as home made sandwiches I would bet too.
NUR - RAILWAYS - GWR - SIRHOWY VALLEY COLLIERY - ASRS - LABOUR PARTY - SWINDON COUNCILLOR - DERBY TRADES COUNCIL - INCREASE TAXES ON THE RICH AND ABOLITION OF HOUSE OF LORDS - 1910 GENERAL ELECTION - 10,239 VOTES - MP for DERBY - 1911 STRIKE ORGANISER - GENERAL SECRETARY of the NUR in 1917 - 1923 SECRETARY OF STATE FOR THE COLONIES - FREEMAN OF NEWPORT in 1924 - He was a favourite of King GEORGE V - 1926 GENERAL STRIKE - TUC - 1929 GENERAL ELECTION - THOMAS became LORD PRIVY SEAL - PM Ramsay MacDonald - NATTY DRESSER - DAVID LOW cartoonist Lord Dress Suit - Jimmy Thomas 1 of 3 only - EXPELLED FROM LABOUR PARTY - OBLIGED to RESIGN from NUR - 1936 GUILTY of LEAKING BUDGET SECRETS - STOCKBROKER SON Leslie - Sir ALFRED BUTT Conservative MP - ALFRED " Cosher " BATES wealthy businessman - BATES Admitted giving £15,000 to Thomas - RESIGNED FROM GOVERNMENT and left HOUSE OF COMMONS - WINSTON CHURCHILL in tears - Chairman of British Amalgamated Transport Ltd - Author of the autobiography MY STORY.
His son Leslie Thomas became a Conservative MP.
Google RED BOX ( Government ), I know this box is NAVY BLUE and it has King George V Royal Cipher on it and used by a high up politician of the period. These boxes come in numerous colours in relation to the MP's office and status RED being No.1.
Margaret Thatcher would NOT have stood for much of what is going on in the UK now would she !? Politicians in my opinion are a little bit too soft these days. Pussy footing about trying to keep everyone on side when bowing down to the minorities, knowing fine well what the majority really think. Difficult job they have !
Anyway I got side tracked there ( above paragraph is only my opinion of course and if it upsets or offends anyone - Get a Grip ! ) Crikey side tracked again, what I was going to follow on and say Margaret Thatcher's Ministerial despatch box sold in auction for £242,500 in 2015 and Winston Churchill's Red Box sold for £158,500 in 2014.
This is a good SOCIAL HISTORY item and worthy of being in a museum or serious collectors collection alike.
Please see close-up photographs provided for more details and visual confirmation of condition for yourself.
Condition Report: Normal signs of age and use wear including some surface scuffs and minor impact marks etc.
The leather is worn on the edges and corners and it looks like there may be some water damage as it does not lie completely flush to the woodenware on the lid.
Very clean inside.
It measures approx. 18 inches x 12 inches x 8 inches. It weighs approx. 3 kilos.
This case can be collected from my actual antique shop Leevintiques at 23 North End, Bedale, DL8 1AF, North Yorkshire.
My stock ref : #LVT/wdg13424/q80tyAW in loft.
Postage policies:
International overseas buyers please read this first - I use Global Shipping Program - GSP to send items to you.
GSP sorts any paperwork etc. which enables items to get through customs much faster than other delivery company.
I am offering FREE postage to the GSP hub in the UK.
GSP then decide on the cost of shipping, sales tax, and possible other charges etc. - All this information can found on the listing BEFORE bidding or buying.
I have no control over the prices that GSP set.
Unfortunately GSP do open the packages they receive to check the contents and then re-wrap them for the forward journey to you. This has caused some issues in the past so please take my word that I personally wrap all items as best I can to survive the trip, but GSP sometimes do not take as much care as I do when re-wrapping.
The shipping time is usually very quick but as you can appreciate there may be delays for any number of reasons which are out of both mine and your control. Thank you.
I now offer FREE shipping - postage on the majority of my eBay items. You can also arrange to COLLECT your item from my actual antique shop if that is easier for you.
If you see A/F = a/f in the title or description it means "as found" condition which may have scuffs, scratches and damage. In relation to all my listings it does not mean " about fine ". I have used A/F for " as found " for 45 years.