Souvenir card case, with view of Holyrood Palace

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This varnished wooden souvenir card case was probably produced by the firm of W & A Smith in Mauchline in Ayrshire. It is transfer-printed with a view of Holyrood Palace in Edinburgh and dates from the late 19th century.

Card case of yellow varnished wood, with a transfer picture of Holyrood Palace on one side

The firm of W & A Smith is said to have started in the early 1820s. Initially they made snuff boxes and razor strops (straps for sharpening razors). By 1841 they were selling tartan souvenir wares and in 1850 they published their 'Authenticated Tartans of the Clans and Families of Scotland'. From around 1860 to 1930 they produced vast quantities of souvenirs including boxes, table and desk accessories, and sewing items. The souvenirs were transfer-printed with views of British towns and cities, seaside resorts and exhibitions. Similar items, decorated appropriately, were produced for export to Europe, India, Australia and North America. The factory remained in business until a fire in 1933.

Record details

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• Online ID: 000-180-000-067-C
• Image Rights Holder: National Museums Scotland
• Project: National Museums Scotland Part 2
  Project description   View all records in project
• Ref: National Museums Scotland  H.MEW 13
• Date: Late 19th century
  
• Material: Wood, yellow varnished. Inscription: HOLYROOD PALACE
  Case, card
  
• Dimensions: 4.50" x 3.15" x 0.50"
  
• What: Case, card
  
• Subject: Nineteenth-century wooden souvenirs (NMAS Classification)
  
• Who:
• Where: Scotland, Midlothian, Edinburgh, Holyrood Palace
  
• Event:
• Description:
• References:
  • Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, pp 47-8. 
• Translations:
• Related Records: