A Victorian black leather writing case by Halstaff and Hannaford

A Victorian black leather writing case by Halstaff and Hannaford, the hinged lid with gilt tooled initials 'M F F', the interior with a hinge lidded pen and ink compartment with a printed paper label 'HALSTAFF AND HANNAFORD, Manufacturers, 228, REGENT ST.', with a pair of hinged lids, one with a letter pouch the other containing various utensils, with a brass lock by S. Mordan & Co., 26.9 x 28cm.

Provenance: The Dr Lawrie Webster Collection of Boxes.

In 1842 William Halstaff went into partnership with Thomas Charles Hannaford and the business became known as Halstaff & Hannaford. They mutually dissolved their partnership in 1858 but the business continued trading under their names until 1898.