Penrose Antiques

Description

For sale we have a stunning Art Nouveau William Comyns silver card case or aide memoire.

This aide memoire is decorated with a lovely floral inspired embossed art Nouveau design and is inscribed Eva on the front. On depressing the catch the sprung lid opens smoothly to reveal a lovely soft light tan patent leather interior complete with the original Sampson Mordan silver propelling pencil and calling cards for the original owner - Mrs Digby Appelby (Evelyn Appelby) of Windsor Road, Radyr in Glamorgan along with a photograph of her and her husband Digby in 1942. The aide memoire carries full hallmarks on the back and front for London 1901 along with makers marks for the excellent silversmith William Comyns.

This aide memoire is approximately 4 inches (10.1cm)long and is in an excellent antique condition other than the light surface scratches one would expect in a piece of this age.

Provenance
Mrs Evelyn Appleby (b1882)was the wife of Digby Appleby (b1880). Digby Appleby was the 3rd Son of Thomas Appleby, Ship Owner of Greatham Durham, who lived with his wife Evelyn in Radyr in Glamorgan. Digby Appelby was a ship broker who served in the Welsh Guards during WW1 and is mentioned in dispatches in 16th January 1915 when he was given a temporary promotion to captain. There is also mention of Digby and Evelyn in the London Gazette 24th January 1919 reporting their role as executors of the will for Maude Appleby of Grove House, Greatham.