I bought this box of matches online without checking the markings; according to the seller, it was French. When it arrived, I had a big surprise: it’s English, and the year is either 1795 or 1821. If we look at the silvering, the year would be 1795, but if we look at the “x,” I think it’s closer to 1821, considering the distance above the “x,” which was the only relevant difference I found in the hallmarks between the two years.
Samuel Pemberton c1787 - 1811 ![]()
Thank you Jools
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You’re welcome, I’m just wondering if it is a Vesta case or something else !!! ![]()
1795 - 100% sure.
https://www.etsy.com/listing/1368986617/samuel-pemberton-small-antique-george
I think it’s a match holder/ matchstick.
It’s an etui (for sewing tools, etc) or possibly a fleam case (for blood-letting blades), although I think that would have been a bit taller. Matches in the modern sense of a stick with an ignitable top weren’t invented until 1826.
APC, case dimensions, please.
Bloodletting kits:
Maker Samuel Pemberton, Birmingham
Date 1793
Width 3.2cm (1.25")
Length 4.44cm (1.75")
Depth 1.3cm (0.5")
Weight 14g
Too little space to accommodate bloodletting instruments (blades)…
These are just my doubts. I trust Phil’s knowledge.
An 18th century exquisite silver cased scent bottle I knew it… A scent bottle.
Vestas or Match Boxes always appear to have a Serrated Striker on them , I’ll go with a Sewing Etui ![]()
I like the scent bottle proposal. The case as shown looked a little too small for an etui and pretty certainly too small for fleams.
The box have 4,4 x 2,5 x 1,3 cm and 9 g.
I may be stupid - I don’t care - but sometimes I’m right.
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You’re a clever joker!
Thank you!
Thank you for your understanding.
What sort of seller does not know the lion?
Believe it or not, I’ve bought English pieces with Canadian hallmarks, such as those plated with silver, and most of us Brazilians don’t know how to read hallmarks.













