MARKED FABERGÉ, WORKMASTER'S MARK OF MICHAEL PERCHIN, ST. PETERSBURG, CIRCA 1890

The engraved initials `W` and `E` under coronets must be those of Wallis Simpson and Edward, Prince of Wales (later Edward VIII and the Duke of Windsor). The Prince often used this amalgam of their initials in his private correspondence. For example in April 1937, during the difficult six month separation after his abdication and before their marriage, he wrote `This is just a line to say I love you more and more my own sweetheart and praying that the next eighteen days won’t drag too interminably for WE. Poor WE – and there must be such a huge store of happiness for us after all these months of hell…` (See Bloch, M. ed,. Wallis and Edward, 1931-1937; The Intimate Correspondence of the Duke and Duchess of Windsor, London, 1986, p. 309). The Prince commissioned a brooch by Cartier formed with stylized W E monogram as a personal gift for Mrs. Simpson during their courtship. (see Bonhams, London, 7 December 2006, lot 227). It is probable that the present case may have also served as a love token from the Prince to Mrs. Simpson.