Small mystery from 1883. What does this name say and who was Percy Cooke?

[BatsVSBelfrys]

I've picked up an antique jewellery box on my travels - it's very battered and has seen better days but that's all part of the charm I suppose!

Anyway, it has a brass plaque screwed into it. I 'think' it says A D Gough but I'm unsure of the U in Gough. Can you make it out?

Also it was made by Percy Cooke 194 Regent street. (Doesn't add London but I'm assuming this?)

Google doesn't throw up anything - can anyone assist?

Thanks!

Ooh good one @Elefant1

Although I might expect to see both a birth and death date engraved? Who knows?

I feel this was an AC Gough close to the stationer. Someone went into the shop in person and ordered it didn't they? No other way of doing it in 1881 was there? I know they delivered mail using horses but did they deliver parcels in this way too?

Another thing to explore!

And that's why I so wanted it to be Agnes as it made sense in terms of location - just not an awful lot else!

I'd so love someone to talk about me like this, and one of my possessions, in 150 years time.

Maybe it is something romantic. Like a gift to Agnes from her future husband, and the date is the date they first met as kids.

That's my point. The "priest box" sounds a bit Catholic.

Would a CofE vicar have such a box to take with him when he visited the sick to give them communion?

I think it says A C Bough

Could it be the date Agnes "came out" - debutant introduced to the Queen? Her age would fit and I read that June was the month for these events

Like you @senua I wondered about ‘priest’ and Catholicism, then pondered if the items used by and carried in such a box by either denomination would so be different. I don’t know as I don’t go to church.

Agnes married a farm manager.

https://www.etsy.com/uk/listing/831487973/antique-victorian-ladies-mens-wooden

similar box, they say its a jewellery box

If he did, I’m pretty sure it would include spaces for a bottle (for transport) and cup (to deliver) for the wine, which this doesn’t. And it would probably be purchased from a specialist ecclesiastical supplier, not a fancy stationery shop

Hello - I've been following this, what a delightful thread! Has anyone suggested that it could be a wedding present in the wife's new name, with the date being the wedding? Perhaps the lady's husband or family gave her a jewellery box?

@LuluBlakey1 a pp posted this picture showing the letters, it’s definitely a G.

Smart. I just had a look. Can't find any Gough marriages on 30 June 1883. 😩

@AllFunAndGamesUntilYoureRunningForTheLastTrain Thanks- didn't see that. It's very unattractive script isn't it?

@LuluBlakey1 I go between thinking it's pretty ugly and then thinking it's actually lovely! Can't make my mind up.

Is it copperplate?

This is such a fascinating thread…I’m sorry if someone mentioned this potential match and I missed it, but if it were a Christening gift then there was an Annis Caroline Gough born in the St Olave Bermondsey district of London in the first quarter of 1883 (found on genes reunited). She would have been 3-6 months old at time of baptism though. Searched Christening records also and couldn’t find a match for Annis but did find an Ann Gough who was baptised in the Docklands area in 1883, despite there being no records (that I could find) for any Ann Goughs born in London in 1883 so I’m wondering if this is actually the same person? Unfortunately I don’t have a premium account to find the date of the baptism though.

Annis is probably mid-transcribed Annie, which is probably same person as Ann, I’d say.

No idea.

I agree, the shape of the depression is wrong for an ink pot. It's too shallow and also the bottom corner (where the sides meet the base) is rounded off rather than square; an ink pot wouldn't be secure in there. Looks like a place to put a pocket watch to me.

I don't think it's a T - if you look at the picture of the font, the top bar on the T goes all the way across the top of the letter. On the C, the bar stops short and tucks inside the curve of the C, just like it does on OP's box.

As an aside, I've often thought how a lot of old fonts / handwriting styles are a case of form-over-function. Maybe it's because we're not used to seeing them nowadays, but when you have to peer closely at individual letters in a census return or something and compare them to references to work out whether it's (for eg) a C or a T, surely at that point the font has lost it's usefulness!

That's something that's been niggling me - in the 1800s, I don't think that 16th birthdays were celebrated as a milestone in the same way that they are now. 21st were the "coming of age" milestone afaik.

I've been to all saints in Leamington and they wore the fancy robes and did the whole service singing so I wouldn't discount someone baptised there having a box.

Is it worth emailing Merchant Taylor's to ask about the school record for the Arthur who went there and any special occasions? It's an old school, I'm sure they'll have records.

I was wondering about a 'coming of age' gift, which would put the owner at age 21 not 16. Haven't got beyond that as I've had a house guest today so been unable to investigate.

Whilst I agree with the above posters about coming of age being 21, not 16 in the C19, I’ve not yet given up the idea of 1883 June 30th being an academic milestone for the original owner and invite contradictions (hard hat time). 😂

Thanks for all the input, it's been so fascinating to read your thoughts and insights.

I have many bits and pieces to potentially pore over so I'll be back soon with one! Maybe in the History topic and I'll be sure to tag anyone who may be remotely interested.

I think we've gone as far as we can go with this one but I also feel sure that the real AC Gough has had a mention. That's what I like to think anyway!

I may do 'Ted's 21st birthday tie pin' next! Stay tuned