A VICTORIAN CASTLE TOP CARD CASE TAYLOR & PERRY, BIRMINGHAM 1836 the rectangular case embossed with a scene of Abbotsford House with scrolling folate border, the reverse with a scene of Newstead Abbey within grounds flanked by scrolling foliate borders

(9.5cm (excluding chain) x 6.6cm, 3.1oz)

Note: The first scene depicts Abbotsford the home of Sir Walter Scott, in the second Newstead Abbey is depicted and was the seat of Lord Byron. An unlikely friendship, Sir Walter Scott first met Lord Byron at John Murray’s house in Albermarle Street London. Following many society dinners and engagements a firm friendship was established and gifts exchanged to cement this, a silver urn was presented to Sir Walter Scott by Lord Byron now belongs to the Faculty of Advocates Abbotsford Collection. Both well-respected literary figures, albeit with different political stances and more importantly different poetical styles, there is much-reciprocated admiration noted through correspondence between the pair, even to the extent that Sir Walter Scott's produced a eulogy for Lord Byron in 1824 which is now in the National Library Collections of Scotland [Library reference: MS.43559]. ‘That mighty genius which walked amongst men as something superior to ordinary mortality’ It is clear from the eulogy that there was an element of jealousy that Byron was born into a world of privilege and Scott worked for his success but the respect and veneration is clear to see. A Victorian souvenir to depict a landmark of interest to the owner, the card case contained calling cards if the recipient wasn’t at home and a calling card could be left. It is therefore quite apt that we have on offer both landmarks reflecting their friendship.