Tobacco box, Richard Ford Sturges, Birmingham, 1852-1859
Record status
Individual type · partial
Period
1852-1859
This tobacco box was made in Birmingham in around 1852. The tobacco box is stamped underneath 'RF STURGES PATENT' with a pattern number 4 and refers to his patent of 1852 for pressing patterns onto Britannia Metal through patterned lace.
Tobacco box, Britannia Metal, square body with rounded cut corners, the body and li pressure-stamped through lace according to 'RF STURGES PATENT' of 1852 which is stamped on the base, plus a pattern number 4, separate lid and internal weight.
Evidence at a glance
- Linked sources
- 1
- Photograph views
- 4
- Catalogue references
- 0
Counts describe this entry’s documentation, not authenticity, rarity or completeness. Photographs may show one specimen; check each caption and licence.
Historical context
The large number of patents registered in his favour testify to his ingenuity and untiring activity.' This tobacco box is stamped underneath 'RF STURGES PATENT' with a pattern number 4 and refers to his patent of 1852 for pressing patterns onto Britannia Metal through patterned lace.
Wallis described the invention by Sturges as follows:
'In August 1851, the late Mr. R.F.
Pott flung himself into a chair, and foamed at the mouth.
BRITANNIA METAL TRADE
They smoked tobacco stored in Britannia Metal boxes.
It came to occupy a grey area with much more freedom.
It was not to everyone's taste however.
TRADEMARKS AND ADVERTISING
And from 1886, James Dixon & Sons 'J.J.
THE DAVID LAMB COLLECTION
This piece is one of 24 Britannia Metal items (Museum Nos.
Physical characteristics
- Material
- Britannia Metal, rolled, pressure stamped and assembled
- Dimensions
- Height: 11.0 cm; Length: 8.7 cm; Width: 8.7 cm
Technical characteristics
- Maker recorded
- Richard Ford Sturges
- Place recorded
- Birmingham
Design
- Marks and inscriptions
- RF STURGES PATENT / 4
Identification
- Source note
- Transcribed from the Victoria and Albert Museum, London collection record for this single object (sentences kept verbatim apart from removed sale or rarity wording); how far it represents a wider collectible type has not been independently verified.
- Candidate id
- vam-O1744963
- Museum object name
- Tobacco box
- Holding institution
- Victoria and Albert Museum, London
- Museum object number
- M.41-2023
- Museum system number
- O1744963
Catalogue references
No catalogue numbers recorded. Numbers are only published once transcribed from a verified edition of a standard catalogue — they are never inferred.
Research required
- Research required: confirm the wider type, maker and dating against a specialist reference; this entry documents one recorded example.