probably made in Mauchline, Ayrshire

Souvenir box, with view of Southend

This souvenir box was probably produced by the firm of W & A Smith in Mauchline in Ayrshire. Made of varnished sycamore, it dates from the late 19th century.

The side of the box has been transfer printed with a view of the 'TERRACE AND SHRUBBERY, SOUTHEND'. A number of 'bathing machines' drawn by horses are clearly represented on the beach.

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'. This publication not only provided critical authority for 69 different tartans but also publicised Smith's technique for printing tartan on their wares.

Record details

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Online ID:	000-180-002-007-C
Image Rights Holder:	National Museums Scotland
Project:	0504: National Museums Scotland Part 2 Project description \| View all records in project
Ref:	National Museums Scotland K.1998.478
Date:	c. 1860 Late 19th century
Material:	Sycamore; varnished; transfer-printed; cone-shaped; truncated
Dimensions:
What:	Box / container / souvenir
Subject:
Who:	W. and A. Smith, Mauchline, Ayrshire (Maker)
Where:	England, Essex, Southend Scotland, Ayrshire, Mauchline
Event:
Description:	Truncated cone-shaped souvenir box or container in varnished, transfer-printed sycamore showing Terrace and Shrubbery, Southend: Scottish, Ayrshire, by W. and A. Smith, Mauchline, c. 1860 - 1910
References:	Evans, G. Souvenirs From Roman Times to the Present Day. Edinburgh: NMS Publishing Ltd, 1999, pp 47-8.
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