A ‘magnificent gentleman’s travelling compendium’ made by Asprey, London, was estimated at £10,000-15,000 in the Charles Miller auction held at the 25 Blythe Road auctions ‘hub’ in west London on May 1.
Consigned by a retired dealer who owned it for 25-30 years, it was in completely untouched condition retaining essentials ranging from a compass, barometer, drawing set, thermometer, quill cutter and a guide to postal rates to India.
“It is a one-off. You see smaller versions on the market but at 3ft 4in (1.02m) wide this is probably the largest and the best,” said Miller. It sold via thesaleroom.com at £13,500 (plus buyer’s premium).
At Denhams in Horsham, West Sussex, on April 25, an Edwardian coromandel and chrome-mounted games compendium sold at £15,800 (plus buyer’s premium).
Made by Drew & Sons, the interior included a generous array of ivory gaming pieces and score indicators for chess, dominos, jack straws, cribbage and bezique. The lift-out trays and a roulette wheel were made in satinwood.
Such a splendid set was fit for royalty: the hinged lid was inlaid with the cypher of Edward VII.
