Wednesday 27 September 2023
Of historical interest. A Victorian silver mounted red tape roller, formerly the property of...
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Lot 108
Description
Of historical interest. A Victorian silver mounted red tape roller, formerly the property of Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1894-1895, the silver mount hallmarked London, 1895, J. Batson & Son, the roll of original red fabric tape raised on a rectangular wooden base, the silver mount engraved with an earl's coronet and the initials AR, base 15.1 x 7.8cm, approx. 9cm high
Provenance: This piece formed part of lot 3536 of the Mentmore sale held by Sotheby's and was sold on 27th May 1977 (on behalf of the late 6th Earl of Rosebery and his family). Since then it has been owned by the purchaser and is now on the market for the first time in 45 years and only the second time in its history.
Lot Footnotes
Note: Archibald Primrose, 5th Earl of Rosebery (1847-1929) is reputed to have said that he had three aims in life: to win the Derby , to marry an heiress, and to become Prime Minister- he went on to achieve all three. He acceded to the Earldom in 1868 having matriculated at, but not graduated from, Christ Church Oxford. He held many official posts in Scotland from the time he entered the House of Lords including being: a commissioner to inquire into Scottish endowments in 1872, Lord Lieutenant of Linlithgowshire in 1873 (until his death). These Scottish offices continued throughout Rosebery's life as he was also Lord Lieutenant of Midlothian from 1884 (again until his death). In addition to all of these Rosebery held the Lord Rectorships of the Universities of Aberdeen (1878-1881), Edinburgh (1880-1883), Glasgow (1899-1902) and St. Andrews (1911) as well as serving as a member of the Council on Scottish Education from 1881 until his death. In 1915 he added Captain General of the Royal Company of Archers to his many titles.
In 1878 Rosebery married Hannah de Rothschild, only daughter and heiress of Amschel Meyer de Rothschild owner of Mentmore Towers in Buckinghamshire, and from about the time of this marriage Rosebery began his British political career in earnest. From 1881 to 1883 he was Under Secretary for the Home Department, in 1885 he was Lord Privy Seal and First Commissioner of Works, in 1886 and from 1892 to 1894 he was Foreign Secretary. Rosebery reached his political pinnacle from March 1894 to June 1895 when he served as Prime Minister and Lord President of the Council (he remained leader of the Liberal party until 1898). Rosebery is the only British Prime Minister to have had horses win the Derby during his premiership.
This roll of red tape is likely to have been presented to him in 1895 on his retirement as Prime Minister. At this point Rosebery, who had been created a Knight of the Garter in 1892 was privately created a Knight of the Thistle by Queen Victoria (the only Garter Knight to have been so honoured as it was customary to surrender the emblems of the Order of the Thistle if a knight received those of the Garter).
Fees & VAT
Buyer's Premium
The buyer shall pay the hammer price together with a premium thereon of 26% up to £20,000 (31.2% inclusive of VAT), 25% from £20,001 - £500,000 (30% inclusive of VAT), 20% from £500,001 thereafter (24% inclusive of VAT). The premium price is subject to VAT at the standard rate.
VAT
VAT is not charged on the hammer price unless it is stated that there is 'VAT applicable on the hammer price at the end of the description. Buyer's premium is subject to VAT.(ARR) - ARTIST'S RESALE RIGHT
Qualifying living artists and the descendants of artists deceased within the last 70 years are entitled to receive a re-sale royalty each time their work is bought through an auction house or art market professional.
It applies to lots with hammer value over £1,000 as follows:
0 to £50,000 - 4%
£50,000.01 to £200,000 - 3%
£200,000.01 to £350,000 - 1%
£350,000.01 to £500,000 - 0.5%
Exceeding £500,000 - 0.25%
ARR is capped at £12,500
Please note ARR is calculated in euros. Auctioneers will apply current exchange rates.
Export of goods
Buyers intending to export goods should ascertain whether an export licence is required before bidding. Export licences are issued by Arts Council England and application forms can be obtained from its Export Licensing Unit. Details can be found on the ACE website www.artscouncil.org.uk or by phoning ACE on 020 7973 5188. The need for import licences varies from country to country and you should acquaint yourself with all relevant local requirements and provisions before bidding. The refusal of any such licences shall not permit the cancelling of any sale nor allow any delay in making full payment for the lot.
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