Accession Number

2007.001.001.003

Alternate Name

case

Description

A small semi-rigid case in dark brown Morocco leather created to hold the two books part of this set (2007.1.1 & 2), the front of the case bearing a sterling silver plate engraved with the word, “Noel”.

Narrative

This is part of a very small cased set of The Book of Common Prayer and Hymns, Ancient and Modern that was presented to Elizabeth Georgina Harvey (1870-1928) by her brother and sister-in-law at Christmas, 1899 while she was residing at Craigdarroch. It is an important object documented to have been originally located at the Castle during the Dunsmuir period.

Elizabeth was nicknamed “Noel” because she was born on Christmas Day. 

History of Use

This object was used by Elizabeth Georgina Harvey (1870-1928), also known as “Noel” while she lived at Craigdarroch until 1903, when she married Victoria businessman, George Alan Kirk (1870-1928). She probably took it with her when she moved with her husband into her new house named Riffham, designed by Francis Mawson Rattenbury, and now situated at 582 St. Charles Street. On her death, the set was inherited by her brother James’s son, Robert Oliver Dunsmuir Harvey (1900-1958), who bequeathed it to his son, the donor, Robert James Harvey (1927-2013), who gave it to The Castle Society in 2007.

Date

1899

Material

Paper, cardboard; Leather

Technique

Engraved; Encased

Inscription

Engraved on a silver plate: Noel

Country of Origin

United Kingdom