"Vesta case" containing 3 cm long waterproof matchesSmall tin, hinged lid, nickle plated, printed lid, containing blue-headed waterproof matches, known as "Vestas"Bell's Waterproof Wax Vestas printed in green and redmatches, match containers, vesta cases, vesta matches

Vestas are the historical name for what are now known as matches. They were named for the Roman goddess Vesta whose domain was the hearth and home. The Swan company began production of short matches, mostly useful for lighting pipes and cigarettes due to their deliberately short length. Due to their small size it became convenient to carry these Vestas within a Vesta Case kept somewhere on the person, large enough to contain enough matches for a days use. The cases prevented their contents from becoming damaged and damp while also stopping them from accidentally striking if held loose in a pocket. This is a simple example of a Vesta Case.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A decorative silver coloured vesta or match book. It has a raised crosshatch pattern in a circular pattern on the obverse side. The vesta has a hinged top and side loop to allow for attachment.A01199/burke museum, vesta case, vesta, matches, silver, social history

Wax Vestas were matches. The tin would hold approx. 150 matches. Belonged to Keith David Livingston VX136969 2nd AIF. Refer 1911P for service history.Tin for containing wax vestas containing piece of folded lint. Painted coloured label-dark blue and pale green. Hinged lid. Striking plate indented into bottom of tin.On lid: "BELL'S/WATERPROOF/WAX VESTAS"containers-commercial, wax vestas, matches

This detailed example of a match holding Vesta was owned by someone with the initials GBW but is otherwise difficult to identify ownership. Vestas are the historical name for what are now known as matches. They were named for the Roman goddess Vesta whose domain was the hearth and home. The Swan company began production of short matches, mostly useful for lighting pipes and cigarettes due to their deliberately short length. Due to their small size it became convenient to carry these Vestas within a Vesta Case kept somewhere on the person, large enough to contain enough matches for a days use. The cases prevented their contents from becoming damaged and damp while also stopping them from accidentally striking if held loose in a pocket. This example of a Vesta case is particularly ornate.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A decorative silver coloured vesta or match book. It has detailed engraving across the obverse and reverse sides with delicate scrollwork and a monogram set in a circular setting in the centre. The vesta has a hinged top and side loop to allow for attachment.GBW/ A01171/burke museum, vesta case, vesta, matches, silver, social history, luxury

Vesta cases, also known as match safes, are small boxes that are used to carry matches and keep them safe from the elements. In the early 1800's, it was common to carry matches, since some type of portable fire was needed to light lanterns and stoves. The matches of that day were crude compared to today's standards, and were known to light when making contact with each other, and sometimes even spontaneously. In order to alleviate this potentially hazardous situation, it made good sense to utilize a Vesta case or match safe. One of the more interesting features of the vesta case or match safes is that they almost always include some type of rough or ribbed surface, usually on the bottom of the case that is used for striking the matches. This vesta case is a portable pocket vesta. These cases take their name from the virgin Roman goddess of fire, home, hearth and family. Usually Vesta was depicted as the fire in her temple. Only Vestals (her priestesses) were allowed into her temple. Her association with fire made her name the natural choice for British companies that manufactured matches. The hallmarking of sterling silver is based on a combination of marks that makes possible the identification of origin and age. The town mark identifies the Assay Office where the item was verified. The town mark on this piece is an anchor, so it is from Birmingham, England. The lion passant certifies the silver quality, as at least 925. The maker's mark, identifying the silversmith presenting the piece to the assay office is D&LS for David and Lionel Spiers. The date letter identifies the year the piece was verified, this item was verified in 1885. Lionel Spiers was a significant figure in the Jewellery Quarter and in 1906 was chairman of the Jewellers and Silversmiths Association. The item also has NHILL 1928 engraved on the front, this is likely a recent addition to the piece. Nhill is a town in Victoria so it could be that the previous owner lived here or it was gifted in commemoration. The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.Silver vesta case with ribbed strike plate at the end and an etched design. D&LS/ lion symbol/ anchor symbol/ l/ Sovereign head/ [hallmarks] CHH/ NHILL 1928/ [obverse inscription] A01198/burke museum, silver, vesta, fire, silversmiths

Tin containing waxed vestas (matches) with a green and lid.Bell's waterproof waxed Vesta'spersonal effects, smoking accessories

Vesta cases, also known as match safes, are small boxes that are used to carry matches and keep them safe from the elements. In the early 1800's, it was common to carry matches, since some type of portable fire was needed to light lanterns and stoves. The matches of that day were crude compared to today's standards, and were known to light when making contact with each other, and sometimes even spontaneously. In order to alleviate this potentially hazardous situation, it made good sense to utilize a vesta case or match safe. One of the more interesting features of the vesta case or match safes is that they almost always include some type of rough or ribbed surface, usually on the bottom of the case that is used for striking the matches. This vesta case is the portable pocket vesta which also has a bale (ring) near the hinge so that they can be suspended from a chain. These cases take their name from the virgin Roman goddess of fire, home, hearth and family. Usually Vesta was depicted as the fire in her temple. Only Vestals (her priestesses) were allowed into her temple. Her association with fire made her name the natural choice for British companies that manufactured matches. The hallmarking of sterling silver is based on a combination of marks that makes possible the identification of origin and age. The town mark identifies the Assay Office where the item was verified. The town mark on this piece, three wheat sheaves and a sword identify Chester, in Cheshire, England as the town of creation. The lion passant guardant certifies the silver quality, as between 925 and 1000. The maker's mark, identifying the silversmith presenting the piece to the assay office is W.N. for William Neale. The date letter identifies the year the piece was verified, this case being verified in 1903. William Neale and Sons was a firm was established by William Neale in 1850 in Birmingham. His mark was entered at the Birmingham assay office in April 1862 and in the Chester assay office in September 1882. The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A silver vesta case with a ribbed strike plate at the end, a ring to attach the case to a chain and a cover that can be pushed up to open. W.N/ lion symbol/ Three Sheaves of Wheat and Sword/ C/ [hallmarks] A01169/silver, silversmith, burke museum, england, fire, vesta, william neale

Item in the collection re J.C.W. LEDEUX, refer Cat No 2378 for his service details.Tin with hinged lid, made to hold VESTA matches. Rectangular striking plate on base.Embossed on lid: “The Commonwealth Match Works Pty Ltd Waterproof Vestas”personal effects - smoking accessories, containers - commercial, wax vesta

This tin contained waterproof wax vestas, a short match with a wax shaft. On the bottom of the tin there is a rough surface which was struck to light the match.A small brown with dark blue and aqua stripes on the front of a rectangular tin. Three lines of print on the front hinged lid.BELL'S/WATERPROOF/WAX VESTAShouston, william, houston, joan, george evans collection, commercial packaging

This tin of Duncan’s Waterproof Wax Vestas (matches) was donated to Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village by the family of Doctor William Roy Angus, Surgeon and Oculist. It is part of the “W.R. Angus Collection” includes historical medical equipment, surgical instruments and material once belonging to Dr Edward Ryan and Dr Thomas Francis Ryan, (both of Nhill, Victoria) as well as Dr Angus’ own belongings. The Collection’s history spans the medical practices of the two Doctors Ryan, from 1885-1926 plus that of Dr Angus, up until 1969. A similar tin of Duncan’s Waterproof Wax Vestas was advertised in Townsville Daily Bulletin of Friday 23rd January 1931 for “2/6 per dozen” (au 25 cents) under the heading “Cash and Carry specials to-day”. Duncan’s Match Co. Pty. Ltd was still in operation in 1951, and according to Townsville Daily Bulletin of Tuesday 24th July 1951 it was “one of Melbourne’s largest match manufacturers” ABOUT THE “W.R.ANGUS COLLECTION” Doctor William Roy Angus M.B., B.S., Adel., 1923, F.R.C.S. Edin.,1928 (also known as Dr Roy Angus) was born in Murrumbeena, Victoria in 1901 and lived until 1970. He qualified as a doctor in 1923 at University of Adelaide, was Resident Medical Officer at the Royal Adelaide Hospital in 1924 and for a period was house surgeon to Sir (then Mr.) Henry Simpson Newland. Dr Angus was briefly an Assistant to Dr Riddell of Kapunda, then commenced private practice at Curramulka, Yorke Peninsula, SA, where he was physician, surgeon and chemist. In 1926, he was appointed as new Medical Assistant to Dr Thomas Francis Ryan (T.F. Ryan, or Tom), in Nhill, Victoria, where his experiences included radiology and pharmacy. In 1927 he was Acting House Surgeon in Dr Tom Ryan’s absence. Dr Angus had become engaged to Gladys Forsyth and they decided he further his studies overseas in the UK in 1927. He studied at London University College Hospital and at Edinburgh Royal Infirmary and in 1928, was awarded FRCS (Fellow from the Royal College of Surgeons), Edinburgh. He worked his passage back to Australia as a Ship’s Surgeon on the on the Australian Commonwealth Line’s T.S.S. Largs Bay. Dr Angus married Gladys in 1929, in Ballarat. (They went on to have one son (Graham 1932, born in SA) and two daughters (Helen (died 12/07/1996) and Berenice (Berry), both born at Mira, Nhill ) According to Berry, her mother Gladys made a lot of their clothes. She was very talented and did some lovely embroidery including lingerie for her trousseau and beautifully handmade baby clothes. Dr Angus was a ‘flying doctor’ for the A.I.M. (Australian Inland Ministry) Aerial Medical Service in 1928 . Its first station was in the remote town of Oodnadatta, where Dr Angus was stationed. He was locum tenens there on North-South Railway at 21 Mile Camp. He took up this ‘flying doctor’ position in response to a call from Dr John Flynn; the organisation was later known as the Flying Doctor Service, then the Royal Flying Doctor Service. A lot of his work during this time involved dental surgery also. Between 1928-1932 he was surgeon at the Curramulka Hospital, Yorke Peninsula, South Australia. In 1933 Dr Angus returned to Nhill and purchased a share of the Nelson Street practice and Mira hospital (a 2 bed ward at the Nelson Street Practice) from Dr Les Middleton one of the Middleton Brothers, the current owners of what previously once Dr Tom Ryan’s practice. Dr Tom and his brother had worked as surgeons included eye surgery. Dr Tom Ryan performed many of his operations in the Mira private hospital on his premises. He had been House Surgeon at the Nhill Hospital 1902-1926. Dr Tom Ryan had one of the only two pieces of radiology equipment in Victoria during his practicing years – The Royal Melbourne Hospital had the other one. Over the years Dr Tom Ryan had gradually set up what was effectively a training school for country general-practitioner-surgeons. Each patient was carefully examined, including using the X-ray machine, and any surgery was discussed and planned with Dr Ryan’s assistants several days in advance. Dr Angus gained experience in using the X-ray machine there during his time as assistant to Dr Ryan. When Dr Angus bought into the Nelson Street premises in Nhill he was also appointed as the Nhill Hospital’s Honorary House Surgeon 1933-1938. His practitioner’s plate from his Nhill surgery is now mounted on the doorway to the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, Warrnambool. When Dr Angus took up practice in the Dr Edward and Dr Tom Ryan’s old premises he obtained their extensive collection of historical medical equipment and materials spanning 1884-1926. A large part of this collection is now on display at the Port Medical Office at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village in Warrnambool. In 1939 Dr Angus and his family moved to Warrnambool where he purchased “Birchwood,” the 1852 home and medical practice of Dr John Hunter Henderson, at 214 Koroit Street. (This property was sold in1965 to the State Government and is now the site of the Warrnambool Police Station. and an ALDI sore is on the land that was once their tennis court). The Angus family was able to afford gardeners, cooks and maids; their home was a popular place for visiting dignitaries to stay whilst visiting Warrnambool. Dr Angus had his own silk worm farm at home in a Mulberry tree. His young daughter used his centrifuge for spinning the silk. Dr Angus was appointed on a part-time basis as Port Medical Officer (Health Officer) in Warrnambool and held this position until the 1940’s when the government no longer required the service of a Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool; he was thus Warrnambool’s last serving Port Medical Officer. (Masters of immigrant ships arriving in port reported incidents of diseases, illness and death and the Port Medical Officer made a decision on whether the ship required Quarantine and for how long, in this way preventing contagious illness from spreading from new immigrants to the residents already in the colony.) Dr Angus was a member of the Australian Medical Association, for 35 years and surgeon at the Warrnambool Base Hospital 1939-1942, He served as a Surgeon Captain during WWII1942-45, in Ballarat, Victoria, and in Bonegilla, N.S.W., completing his service just before the end of the war due to suffering from a heart attack. During his convalescence he carved an intricate and ‘most artistic’ chess set from the material that dentures were made from. He then studied ophthalmology at the Royal Melbourne Eye and Ear Hospital and created cosmetically superior artificial eyes by pioneering using the intrascleral cartilage. Angus received accolades from the Ophthalmological Society of Australasia for this work. He returned to Warrnambool to commence practice as an ophthalmologist, pioneering in artificial eye improvements. He was Honorary Consultant Ophthalmologist to Warrnambool Base Hospital for 31 years. He made monthly visits to Portland as a visiting surgeon, to perform eye surgery. He represented the Victorian South-West subdivision of the Australian Medical Association as its secretary between 1949 and 1956 and as chairman from 1956 to 1958. In 1968 Dr Angus was elected member of Spain’s Barraquer Institute of Barcelona after his research work in Intrasclearal cartilage grafting, becoming one of the few Australian ophthalmologists to receive this honour, and in the following year presented his final paper on Living Intrasclearal Cartilage Implants at the Inaugural Meeting of the Australian College of Ophthalmologists in Melbourne In his personal life Dr Angus was a Presbyterian and treated Sunday as a Sabbath, a day of rest. He would visit 3 or 4 country patients on a Sunday, taking his children along ‘for the ride’ and to visit with him. Sunday evenings he would play the pianola and sing Scottish songs to his family. One of Dr Angus’ patients was Margaret MacKenzie, author of a book on local shipwrecks that she’d seen as an eye witness from the late 1880’s in Peterborough, Victoria. In the early 1950’s Dr Angus, painted a picture of a shipwreck for the cover jacket of Margaret’s book, Shipwrecks and More Shipwrecks. She was blind in later life and her daughter wrote the actual book for her. Dr Angus and his wife Gladys were very involved in Warrnambool’s society with a strong interest in civic affairs. He had an interest in people and the community They were both involved in the creation of Flagstaff Hill, including the layout of the gardens. After his death (28th March 1970) his family requested his practitioner’s plate, medical instruments and some personal belongings be displayed in the Port Medical Office surgery at Flagstaff Hill Maritime Village, and be called the “W. R. Angus Collection”. This tin of wax vestas is an early example of product made by Duncan's Match Company was one of Melbourne's largest match manufacturers in the early and mid 1900's. The W.R. Angus Collection is significant for still being located at the site it is connected with, Doctor Angus being the last Port Medical Officer in Warrnambool. The collection of medical instruments and other equipment is culturally significant, being an historical example of medicine from late 19th to mid-20th century. Dr Angus assisted Dr Tom Ryan, a pioneer in the use of X-rays and in ocular surgery. Matches (Vestas) in rectangular match tin with hinged lid, part of the W.R. Angus Collection. Base of tin has built-in match striker. Matches have green heads. c.1930-1940.Stamped into tin “DUNCAN'S / WATERPROOF / WAX VESTAS” and ”NON-POISONOUS".flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked coast, flagstaff hill maritime museum, maritime museum, shipwreck coast, flagstaff hill maritime village, great ocean road, dr w r angus, duncan's match company pty ltd, australian match manufacturer, wax matches, duncan's waterproof wax vestas, smoker's equipment

Bell's No 4 Wax Vestas Match Tin complete with matches.Contains original paper slip stating " Help the war effort save this tin and refill with Bell's Plaid Wax Vestas". Made in Australia.

The Wax Vesta tin belonged to Thomas William Tuckerman, No 7318, 2nd Australian Tunneling Company AIF. Refer 935P, 1265.3.Small round cylindrical metal container in two pieces. The bottom half fits into the top half. Metallic grey in colour.On the top face in raised lettering, “R BELL & CO's MELBOURNE. WAX VESTAS”.tin, wax vestas, 7318 w t tuckerman

Wax matches also known as 'strike anywhere' were invented in 1826 by William Newton in England. It consisted of a wax stem with embedded cotton threads and a tip of phosphorus. Cases of various styles were introduced to protect against accidental combustion. This simple but robust metal cylindrical box with close fitting cap made it attractive to soldiers in World War One. Bryant & May was a British company created in the mid-19th century specifically to make matches. In 1901 they acquired the rights to the Swan Vesta process.Match cylinder with press on lid.On cap " Bryant & Mays Wax Vesta London"match, bryant & may

Moisture-proof wax vestas issued to A.I.F. troops during south-west Pacific campaign. Cigarettes were a normal part of life during both World Wars and there was no attempt made to limit or stop soldiers from smoking. In many cases it was actually encouraged.In WW1 there were almost no cigarette lighters available. Even in WW2 they were unusual. Matches were the normal way of creating fire. The wooden "safety" match that we know today was not in common use. Matches were made from wax and came in tins such as this item.Small rectangular iron alloy container with hinged cover. Base has a slightly recessed central section which has been perforated to enable the striking of matches. The cover has been painted with 'Bells Waterproof Wax Vestas' on a green or black ground. tin bell's-vestas smoking matches

A Vesta case is a small, portable box / safe to carry matches that came into use around the 1830s and was produced extensively between 1890 and 1920. During this period, almost everyone carried strike-anywhere matches, so they could light stoves, lanterns and other devices. Early matches were unreliable and prone to ignite from rubbing on one another or spontaneously. Accordingly, most people carried a match safe / box to house their matches. Wealthy people had match safes made of gold or silver, while common folk had ones made of tin or brass.C 1900 A small silver vesta case, with a roughened strike plate, to hold matches for lighting fires, lamps, cigarettes or pipes. The tin case has been embossed with a bird and floral design on the front and back Embossed with bird and floral design on the front and back .jewellery, personal effects, craftwork, vesta case, lights, candles, safety matches, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers

Vesta cases were used to hold and strike matches. These were with other World War 1 memorabilia that has come from Private John Basil McLean, 2nd Reinforcements, 37th Battalion, A.I.F. Possibly these were with him during his time in the First World War and he visited Belfast during his time in Europe, and he kept as a mementos. J.B. McLean (Service No. 13824) was from near Maffra, Victoria and enlisted on 22 January 1916. He embarked on 16 December 1916 for Europe. He spent time with the Australian Field Artillery (Pack Section). At the end of the war he worked for a year at the A.I.F. Headquarters in London before returning to Australia on the 'Ceramic', arriving in Portsea in 1920. His full war record is available from the National Archives of Australia (B2455, MCLEAN JBM).Mementos brought back with a soldier after serving in Europe in World War One.Two silver vesta (match) cases, one is monogramed and the other has an enamel plaque of the coat of arms of Belfast on it. Both have a few blue tipped matches in them.01125.1 has monogram 'JBMCL' engraved on it 01125.2 has a coat of arms and 'Belfast' on an enamel discworld war one, souvenir

Maybe WWI historical significance (unable to find any historic material on this item).Metal vesta container with a ring holder on the side.Inscribed with initials AMB on the front of holder

Kniting machine needles, associated with the "Beehive Sock Knitter"Kniting machine needles, associated with the "Beehive Sock Knitter".BELL'S (?)/ WATERPROOF/ WAX VESTASknitting textile machinery machine knitting, hosiery, knitting, textile machinery, machine knitting

By the close of the 19th century, colonial children in Australia (especially poorer ones) were expected to work by age 10 or 11. Boys could become apprentices or assistants to trades such as butchers, printers, carpenters, bakers, smiths or services such as delivering newspapers. Girls could work as domestic servants, seamstresses, or in large clothing factories or weaving mills. Girls as young as 6 could work in cities selling stationary or matches to passers-by. In the 1880s workers in matchstick factories, predominantly women and young girls (4-16 years old) from working-class families could work up to 14 hours a day and were exposed to deadly phosphorous vapours on a daily basis. This led to the devastating disease known as “phossy jaw” or “phosphorous necrosis of the jaw” which caused the jawbone to rot. This small rectangular tin matchbox with raised writing on top would once have been gold and brightly coloured. It has a metal striker on the inside as this type of match contains phosphorous which is volatile and can be lit by friction. Duncan's Waterproof Wax vestas

A Vesta case is a small, portable box / safe to carry matches and came into use around the 1830s and were produced extensively between 1890 and 1920. During this period, almost everyone carried strike anywhere matches, so they could light stoves, lanterns and other devices. Early matches were unreliable and prone to ignite from rubbing on one another or spontaneously. Accordingly, most people carried a match safe / box to house their matches. Wealthy people had match safes made of gold or silver, while common folk had ones made of tin or brass.c1860 A small tin Japanesque vesta case, with a roughened strike plate, to hold matches for lighting fires, lamps, cigarettes or pipes. The tin case has been embossed with a Japanese type bird design on the front and back and then coated with copper and brass to decorate and highlight different parts of the design.Embossed with a Japanese type bird design on the front and back . jewellery, personal effects, craftwork, vesta case, lights, candles, safety matches, moorabbin, brighton, bentleigh, cheltenham, early settlers, pioneers

Small round metal match box for wax matches.Bryant and Mays, London Wax Vestaspersonal effects, smoking accessories

Small, metal tin with red, gold and black stripes on hinged lid with an embossed metal border around the edge. Panel with raised dotes on base.On lid: "Bell's No. 4 Wax Vestas"tins, containers

Tin Box of Bell's Waterproof Wax Vestas, approx 100 matches with striker on bottom.flagstaff hill, warrnambool, shipwrecked-coast, flagstaff-hill, flagstaff-hill-maritime-museum, maritime-museum, shipwreck-coast, flagstaff-hill-maritime-village, matches

The exact creation date of this chatelaine is unknown, however the hallmarks and engravings on some of the attached objects indicate that this chatelaine was made in the late 1890s. The shark tooth and the liberty bell attached to the chatelaine suggest that the item once belonged to an Australian who had connections to America. The compact, scent bottle lid, and feminine design of the other objects suggest that this wasowned by a woman. The name on the plate indicates that this object may have belonged to someone with the surname Heine. The hallmarks on the scent bottle lid and the compact indicate that they were made in Birmingham, England in the late 1890s, and that the compact was made by H. Matthews. Chatelaines where used by both men and women, usually fastened to a belt or pocket, and small household objects were attached to the main body of the chatelaine by chains. They were only worn by the heads of the household as a display of position and power.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A decorative silver belt hook with small household object attached by chains to a suspended name plate. There are 8 chains and 7 objects; a vesta case, scent bottle lid, compact, shark tooth, bell, button hook handle, container.HEINE/ [plate] CHERRY./ from/ LEO/ May 12th 1899/ [inscription on vesta case] L??S/ Anchor symbol/ x symbol/ lion symbol/ [Hallmark on scent bottle lid] R/ HM/ Anchor symbol/ Lion symbol/ m symbol/ [Hallmark on back of the compact] SYDNEY/ [inscription on shark tooth] Proclaim liberty throughout all the land unto all inhabitants thereof/ By order of the Assembly of the Province of Pensylvania for the State House in Philada/ [inscription on bell] A01176/ burke museum, silverware, social history, heine

These brass containers held strike anywhere matches used by the Lifeboat service to light fuses to launch rescue rockets. Example of a type of match and its container used by the lifeboat crews in training and rescue operations where a rescue rope rocket had to be launched.A brass container for matches with one Vesta match used for lighting fuse for rescue rope rocketmatches, strike anywhere matches, rescue equipment, rope rockets

The hallmarks on this vesta indicate that the vesta was made in Birmingham, England in 1901 by Minshull & Latimer. Vesta cases are small containers used to keep matches dry and prevent them from being ignited. There three types of vesta cases but the most popular design was the pocket vesta which could be hung from a chain and featured a ribbed bottom to strike a match.The social history objects held in the Burke Museum's collection help to tell the stories of Beechworth's past by showing the social, cultural, and economic aspects of the town's history.A small silver container with a hinged lid that has a ring attached to the top of it. There is an engraved pattern across the surface with a set of initials on the obverse of the case. The bottom of the case features a ribbed design.TD/ [initials engraved on obverse] M/ &/ L/ anchor symbol/ lion symbol/ b/ [hallmarks] A1194/vesta case, birmingham, 20th century, minshull & latimer, matchbox