Lovely piece – this is a properly evocative bit of Elkington ephemera, and the box itself is every bit as interesting as what it once protected.
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Antique Elkington & Co. Ltd. Retail / Presentation Box
Newhall Street, Birmingham | Late 19th – Early 20th Century
This original Elkington & Co. Ltd. cardboard presentation box dates to the late Victorian–Edwardian period and was produced for housing silver or silver-plated wares sold by one of Britain’s most prestigious manufacturers.
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Constructed from thick, rigid brown card with machine-cut finger-jointed corners and a removable lid, the box retains its original printed maker’s mark to the top:
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> ELKINGTON & CO. LTD.
Manufacturers by Appointment to
His Majesty The King
Newhall St., Birmingham
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The survival of the box with this crisp printed branding is increasingly uncommon. Boxes such as this were often discarded once the silver item was put into daily use, making surviving examples desirable to collectors of silver, advertising ephemera, and Elkington memorabilia.
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The box shows honest age-related wear, surface scuffing, and softening to edges, all entirely consistent with its age and adding to its authentic period character. Structurally sound and display-ready.
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Maker History – Elkington & Co.
Founded in 1836 by George Richards Elkington, Elkington & Co. revolutionised the silver industry after patenting the electroplating process in the 1840s. Based on Newhall Street, Birmingham, the firm became the most influential silver-plating manufacturer in Britain, supplying both domestic and international markets.
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Elkington silver was exhibited at major world fairs, adopted by royalty, and exported globally. The company held multiple Royal Warrants, including appointment to the reigning monarch, as proudly stated on this box.
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Elkington pieces today are held in museum collections worldwide, including the V&A.
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Why this box matters
Original retailer/manufacturer packaging
Clear printed Elkington branding
Strong decorative and display appeal
Ideal for pairing with Elkington silver or as standalone ephemera
