CIRCA 1907-22

This deedbox carries the inscription 'The Right Honourable Winston S. Churchill, M.P.' which suggests that it most likely dates from the period between 1907 and 1922. The designation ‘The Right Honourable’ denotes that when the inscription was written, Churchill had been appointed a member of the Privy Council - the body which directly advises the monarch. Churchill was appointed as a privy councellor by H.M. King Edward VII in 1907 and this was a role which Churchill would carry for the remainder of his life, spanning the reigns of four monarchs. It is unlikely that the box would post-date 1922, when Churchill was elevated to the Order of the Companions of Honour as the inscription does not include postnominal C.H. It would, however, certainly appear that this deedbox went on in service to a much later date given the typeface of some of the fragmentary labels remaining, which are more likely to date to the era of World War II or the subsequent part of Churchill's political career.

That it was still in the possession of the Foreign Office as late a as circa 1970 when given to the current owner, suggests that it had perhaps remained in use throughout Churchill's parliamentary tenure, spanning both the Great and Second Worlds Wars. It was given alongside the prime ministerial despatch box, lot 50 (which formed part of the same gift), the fact that both had been retained by the Foreign Office at this late date implies that they had long been considered historically important and worthy of preservation.