This is an antique sterling silver ceremonial presentation key that comes in its original box.
It is a really nice key with the initials HH monogrammed onto the front.
It has been engraved with:
Presented to
Herbert Hoyle Esq.
on the occasion of his opening the
New Dairy of the O.EC.S. Ltd.
10 Feb 1923.
It has also been engraved with the name F. Thorpe Archt. on the shaft. ( Architect )
It is hallmarked for Birmingham 1922 with maker's mark W.J.D.
I am unable to find out what the O.E.C.S. were !?
These type of ceremonial presentation items are UNIQUE and they didn't produce more than one of them. Ideal for the local social history collector / museum of the place names upon them or for related family members that didn't even know these existed.
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Please see photographs provided for more details and visual confirmation of condition for yourself.
Condition Report: Normal signs of age and use wear including some light surface scuffs etc.
The outer box worn in places.
The little plaque on the top has a T hand etched onto it where it looks like someone was going to write their name but then gave up after the first letter.
I think this is NOT the correct box for this key. It has been put in here at a later time to display it I would say as they are not usually like this.