Accession Number

2020.005.002

Description

A tin travelling case, the exterior with a black and brown faux-alligator pattern executed in paint, the top lid hinged to the bottom of the case along one side, on each end of the case a metal handle, at the centre front a brass lock with a latch cover and keyhole, on each side of the lock movable brass hooks, a brass plaque centred on top of the lid and engraved in upper and lower case letters: "The Hon. E. Gawler-Prior MP. Ottawa.", packing labels glued to the top of the lid: "Dominion Express Company; to His Honor The Lt-Gov Victoria B.C. value $1000.00", on top of lid a repouseed brass plaque in cartouche form containing the words: "HOBSON & SONS MILITARY OUTFITTERS 1.3 & 5 LEXINGTON STREET GOLDEN SQUARE LONDON W".

Narrative

This travelling case was designed to carry a military uniform. 

History of Use

This military uniform travelling case was made in England for Edward Gawlor Prior, who was Member of Parliament for Victoria, B.C. from 1888-1904. He was also the Lieutenant-Colonel of the 5th Regiment, Canadian Artillery based in Victoria from 1888 to 1896. He probably used this case to carry his military uniform to and from Ottawa. He probably kept the case after resigning his commission and subsequently used it to carry his Vice-Regal uniform while serving as British Columbia's eleventh Lieutenant Governor from 1919-20.  The case was next used by the twelfth Lieutenant Governor of British Columbia, Hon. Walter Cameron Nichol from 1920 -26.

In the 1960's, this case and the Vice-Regal uniform worn by Mr. Nichol was donated to Craigdarroch Castle by his widow. The uniform had been made for Hon. James Dunsmuir, but it had been separated at an undetermined point from its original case (see 984.75) and was instead carried by Mr. Prior in this case. 

When this case and uniform was donated to Craigdarroch, it was stored in the attic of the Saanich (Saltair Crescent) home of Miss Inez Mitchell, who was The Castle Society's Secretary-Treasurer and Deputy Provincial Archivist. She brought it to Craigdarroch Castle after the death of Society President James K. Nesbitt in September, 1981.

Date

circa 1888

Material

Metal, tin

Technique

Painted; Cut; Repoussed; Soldered; Stamped

Inscription

The Hon. E. Gawler-Prior MP. Ottawa
Dominion Express Company; to His Honor The Lt-Gov Victoria B.C. value $1000.00
HOBSON & SONS MILITARY OUTFITTERS 1.3 & 5 LEXINGTON STREET GOLDEN SQUARE LONDON W

 

Country of Origin

United Kingdom