A stylish crocodile skin correspondence or despatch box with gilded fittings, for keeping your documents private and secure. The box is lined in leather and fitted with a Bramah type catch & lock (with key). Stamped on the interior of the box and the lock with maker's name, the prestigious retailers William Leuchars of Piccadilly, London. Circa 1880.
Dimensions: 33 cm/13 inches (width) x 24 cm/9½inches (depth) x 14 cm/5½ inches (height).
Luxury goods retailer, Leuchars was established at 47 Piccadilly, London in 1794 by James Leuchars. They became, in particular, a renowned maker of dressing cases. In 1820, the business moved to 38 Piccadilly a short time before James died, in 1823. Lucy Leuchars, James’ widow, continued the business under the name of L. Leuchars. In 1837, the year Queen Victoria came to the throne, the firm was awarded the Royal Warrant for the supply of dressing cases.
Leuchars expanded, taking over next door, number 39 Piccadilly, in 1841 and changed name once more, to Lucy Leuchars & Son; the ‘Son’ referring to William Leuchars. Following Lucy’s death, William took sole ownership of the business in 1847. Leuchars exhibited and won prize medals for their dressing cases at the Great Exhibition of 1851 and the International Exhibition of 1862, winning a further silver medal at the International Exposition of 1867 in Paris. In 1870, now under the name of Leuchars & Son, William Leuchars along with his son, also called William, opened a further shop at 2 Rue de la Paix in Paris.
When William Sr died in 1871, William Jr took control of the business, later winning a gold medal for their dressing cases at the International Exposition of 1878 in Paris. In 1884, Leuchars moved their existing workshops from 31 Gerrard Street, Soho, London to 8 Sherwood Street, Golden Square, London. William Jr finally agreed to sell the business, along with their Sherwood Street manufacturing premises, to Asprey in 1888. Asprey then kept the Leuchars business trading from 38 & 39 Piccadilly until 1902.
