The 12th Duke of Hamilton's Travelling Picnic and Games Compendium, retailed by Walter Thornhill, London, 1873

Property of a descendant of William Beckford & The Dukes of Hamilton
The 12th Duke of Hamilton's Travelling Picnic and Games Compendium, retailed by Walter Thornhill, London, 1873

the mahogany case converting to a table and with a brass carrying handle and inlaid and engraved brass cypher for the Duke of Hamilton, Brandon and Chatelherault, opening to reveal a rosewood and boxwood parquetry chessboard (playing surface 36.5cm. by 56cm.), enclosing a blue baise lined surface (75cm. by 56cm.) with gilt-tooled leather border, the interior fitted and including thirty-two ivory chess pieces with brass fixing pins; a leather card box; two leather caddies with blue silk linings; six graduated stacking horn beakers with glass bottoms, each with a removable silver lid, Thomas Johnson, London, 1873; six silver tiffin plates with monogram, Wright & Davies, London, 1873, a set of six steel knives with ivory handles, marked V.R / Thornhill and six silver forks, London, 1873, also with monogram held in a fold-over leather case; a silver travelling condiment set in three parts and of graduated form, comprising salt, pepper and mustard with glass liner and gilt interior, Thomas Johnson, London, 1873; a further glass lidded condiment vessel with electroplate top, two silver-topped glass spirit bottles with engraved cypher, Thomas Johnson, London, 1872, one with paper label for burgundy contained in a leather travelling case stamped 'Walter Thornhill 144 New Bond St.'
open overall 71cm. high; 2ft. 4in. and leather case closed 43cm. by 60cm. by 19.5cm.; 1ft. 5in., 1ft. 11¾in., 7¾in.

Condition Report:
This set is quite extraordinary and appears to be a bespoke unique commission. It is lovely quality. Old marks and scratches throughout from age and use. Leather case with wear and marks from use, carrying strap snapped. Brass ring-pull of the mahogany lid has been lost some time ago and the fixing for it severed at this site - this will need a replacement. The lid is a slightly warped and the folding mechanism, which works, needs some gentle attention. Scratch to this mahogany lid. Blue baize is worn in places with stains and some losses to fabric to folds. Brass a little tarnished and with some scratches. Silver and plate would benefit from a clean. One chess piece with brass pin lacking. Age crack to both sides above edges - historic and from use. Age crack to base of one interior division. Ribbons to tops of leather boxes frayed or lacking. It is lovely quality despite the kind of wear one would expect from use.

Provenance:
On the 10th of December, 1873, the 12th Duke of Hamilton (1845–1895) married Lady Mary Louisa Montagu (1854–1934); this set was almost certainly a wedding present to the couple;
Thence by descent.