ENGLISH STERLING SILVER AND ENAMEL SPORTING MATCH SAFE, featuring hand-painted polychrome enamel depiction of two ladies in white dresses playing tennis on a grass court, bearing Birmingham hallmarks with 1899 date letter and "R.B s" maker's mark for Rolason Brothers. Together with a later sterling and enamel pill box with polychrome enamel golfing scene to lid. Two pieces total. Match safe 1899. Pill box 20th century. Match safe 1 3/8" W, 2" W.
Very good overall condition with minor wear and discoloration.
Provenance: From the estate collection of William A. Litle, Garden Grove, CA.
Catalogue Note: Born in Washington Co., Pennsylvania, Dr. William Albert Litle (1934-2018) was a graduate of Duke University and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). After a brief stint teaching at MIT in the 1960s, Dr. Litle joined the School of Engineering faculty at The University of California, Irvine and later California State University at Fullerton. A talented individual with diverse interests, Dr. Litle was also recognized as a master grader for the Professional Stamp Experts (PSE), where he helped to develop a standardized stamp grading system and later served as president of the organization. A true collector, Dr. Litle's careful and informed attention to detail regarding rarity and condition when considering an acquisition is particularly noteworthy. The array of fine objects from the Litle Collection offered in the present sale attests not only to Dr. Litle's instinctual eye for beauty but also his careful, studied approach when selecting a piece for the collection. We are proud to represent the Litle family in offering some of Dr. Litle's most treasured possessions.

Very good overall condition with minor wear and discoloration.