Beautiful Victorian Hallmarked Silver Sovereign Holder by Samuel Mordan and Co - London 1890

Here on offer is a beautiful Victorian hallmarked silver sovereign holder by Samuel Mordan and Co, London 1890.

This truly impressive round sovereign holder has a raised swirling pattern to both halves of the case.

On the front there is a small circular cartouche that has been lightly engraved with the owner’s initials in an antique font, which appear to be AO or OA.

The back of the case has been stamped with a clear set of English silver hallmarks.

The hallmarks are an uncrowned Leopard’s head for the assay office of London, the Lion Passant for English silver and the date letter “P” for the year 1890.

There is also the makers mark “S.M&Co”, which relates to the top quality silversmiths, Sampson Mordan & Co, of London, who’s pieces are now highly sought after and achieve high prices!

There is currently an identical example, dated 1895 on offer with an antique jewellery dealer for £550!

You press button on the top to release the catch and open the case, which reveals the interior with the sprung coin compartment, that is in working order.
There is another set of matching hallmarks and makers mark around the collar of the compartment.

Then inside the top lid is yet another set of hallmarks, without the London assay mark, but with an Rd No. 43806. This dates the design to the years 1886 and 1887.

There is even a Lion Passant mark of the suspension ring.

This piece is in excellent condition with no dents or damage, just the very slightest hinge wobble.

Some history relating to Sampson Mordan.

Sampson Mordan was born in 1790. After some years of apprenticeship, he established his own business in 1815, and joined forces with John Isaac Hawkins by 1822; together they filed a patent for a metal pencil with an internal lead propelling mechanism. Their business relationship did not last long, with Mordan buying out Hawkins.

Mordan registered his own silver mark in 1823 and then entered into partnership with stationer Gabriel Riddle. Under the name of S. Mordan & Co, and based at 22 Castle Street, City Road, London, they manufactured and retailed many writing and stationery related goods, particularly their silver mechanical pencils.

The partnership between Mordan and Riddle dissolved at the end of 1836. However, Mordan continued the business under the same name. He became very successful, building up a large repertoire of fancy, as well as functional, manufactured goods. Around 1842, he opened a dedicated retail premises at 50 Cheapside, London (which in 1854 was renumbered to 72 Cheapside).
Mordan died in 1843. He left his business in the hands of his two sons, Sampson Mordan Jr and Augustus Mordan.
By 1865, the Mordan’s manufactory was based at 41 City Road, London, and later expanded to include No. 43. At some point the two brothers were joined in partnership by Edmund George Johnson and Zachariah Watkins, but this partnership is documented to have been dissolved in 1879.
Sampson Mordan Jr retired shortly afterwards, and died in 1881, leaving full control of the company to Augustus. Around this time, the partnership of S. Mordan & Co consisted of Augustus Mordan, Edmund George Johnson, Horace Stewart, Henry Lambert Symonds and James Pulley. In 1884, Augustus Mordan retired, leaving the partners to continue the business, still retaining its original name.
In 1898, S. Mordan & Co became a limited company under the control of Symonds and Pulley, absorbing the gold and silversmith firm of Johnson, Sons & Edmonds. A year later, this partnership dissolved leaving Symonds as the director. The manufactory based at 41 & 43 City Road, London, was rebuilt in 1900, accompanying the opening of their showrooms at 9 & 11 Warwick Street, London.
S. Mordan & Co Ltd finally stopped trading in 1941 when their manufactory was bombed during the Second World War.

The sovereign holder measures 1.3” (3.3cm) diameter and weighs 30g.

Please see my pictures for the details of the condition, which complement this description.

Please see my TERMS OF BUSINESS regarding Deliver Charges and Insurance regarding additional insurance cover, should you require it, BEFORE the item is dispatched.

The responsibility lies with the customer to check with your Customs restrictions that this item can be imported into your country.

Many thanks for taking the time to look.

Code: 52185