Items Similar to A Fine Art Deco Period Brass-Mounted Ship’s Humidor from the M. Y. Princess
Want more images or videos?
Request additional images or videos from the seller
1 of 10
A Fine Art Deco Period Brass-Mounted Ship’s Humidor from the M. Y. Princess
$9,017.26
£6,600
€7,687.51
CA$12,421.93
A$13,629.22
CHF 7,179.22
MX$162,133.99
NOK 91,964.95
SEK 83,976.55
DKK 57,433.13
About the Item
A Fine Art Deco Period Brass-Mounted Ship’s Humidor from the M. Y. Princess, owned by Sir James Gomer Berry, Retailed by Benson and Hedges, this fine humidor is veneered in oak with inlaid brass stringing. The lid has a brass plaque with the M. Y. Princessinscribed upon it along with the yacht’s pennant. To the base is the retailer’s sticker for Benson and Hedges, stating that this is a design patented in 1919.
Provenance
Commissioned by Sir James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, from Benson and Hedges, London c.1935
By descent until acquired directly from the family.
M.Y. Princess
Built in 1924 by the Furness Shipbuilding Co. Ltd., Princess was commissioned by Sir James Knott. She was acquired by Kemsley in 1935 and refitted, an article in the Liverpool Journal of Commerce, 13th of August 1935, recording that:
‘The Princess is a twin-screw diesel vessel of 751 tons register, and is 186ft in length, with a beam of 30ft., depth 14 ft., and draft 12ft. The engines are of the Sulzer type, and give a speed of 13.5 knots’.
A portrait of the Princess by Italian artist Luca Papaluca, was sold by Bonham’s in 2012.
The Berry Family, Viscounts Kemsley
Born in Merthyr Tydfil in Wales, Sir James Gomer Berry, 1st Viscount Kemsley, and his two brothers Henry, 1st Baron Buckland and William, 1st Viscount Camrose, made a formidable trio. James and William were both newspaper barons whilst Henry made his fortune as an industrialist. Together the brothers were part of the wave of extremely rich and successful business people who began to take over from the “old money” aristocratic families during the social upheaval caused by the world wars and economic changes affecting Europe during the first half of the 20th century.
Sir James Gomer Berry founded Kemsley Newspapers, a company which at one point owned The Sunday Times, The Daily Sketch and The Sunday Graphic and Berry himself also co-owned The Daily Telegraph with his brother William. This domination of the British print media by one family was unprecedented up to this point, especially as Berry would later become chairman of Reuters News Agency in 1951, further cementing his grip.
As one might expect, Berry become something of a society figure, his wealth opening many doors for him. One of his passions was sailing and in 1935 he purchased the M. Y. Princess, a motor yacht built in 1924 for Sir James Knott by the Furness Shipbuilding Co. Ltd.
This report from 1938 in the Northern Whig describes Berry and his family cruising around Ireland, making time to meet with De Valera in Dublin, thus mixing business with pleasure.
The newspaper report also makes it clear that the family now moved in the very highest social circles and there must have been some impressive entertaining on board the Princess during this period.
Later in the 20th century, the Berry family became linked to the Wellesley family by marriage and it is through this line that the Berry family were able to inherit various important and interesting relics relating to the Duke of Wellington. The family has climbed to great heights in a very short space of time and it is no exaggeration to say that they played an important role in shaping British culture over the past 100 years.
Kemsley and Sir Winston Churchill.
Churchill’s financial situation was often unstable and in 1938 he was almost forced to sell his home, Chartwell, Kent. The house had five reception rooms, nineteen bed and dressing rooms, eight bathrooms and eighty acres of land. Wealthy friends, including Viscount Kemsley, bought Chartwell for the National Trust in 1946 on the condition that Churchill and his family could continue to live there. It was presented to the public in 1966, one year after Churchill’s death.
In addition to aid of this sort, Kemsley swung the power of his newspapers behind Churchill from 1940 onwards and it was as a result of his constant backing that he was awarded the Viscountcy in 1945.
- Creator:Benson x Hedges, London (Retailer)
- Dimensions:Height: 13 in (33.02 cm)Width: 25 in (63.5 cm)Depth: 14 in (35.56 cm)
- Style:Art Deco (Of the Period)
- Materials and Techniques:
- Place of Origin:
- Period:
- Date of Manufacture:1919
- Condition:Wear consistent with age and use. Good.
- Seller Location:Lymington, GB
- Reference Number:1stDibs: LU973045148802
About the Seller
5.0
Recognized Seller
These prestigious sellers are industry leaders and represent the highest echelon for item quality and design.
Established in 1982
1stDibs seller since 2013
140 sales on 1stDibs
Typical response time: <1 hour
Associations
LAPADA - The Association of Arts
Antiques Dealers
- ShippingRetrieving quote...Shipping from: Lymington, United Kingdom
- Return Policy
More From This Seller
View AllBrass Bound Teak Campaign Trunk
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
Brass and steel bound teak Campaign trunk with recessed brass carrying handles.
Category
Antique 1890s English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
A late George III mahogany tea caddy
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late George III mahogany tea caddy, of rectangular form the hinged top opening to reveal three compartments with sliding lids, with silver mounts including a foliate scroll handle,...
Category
Antique 19th Century English George III Tea Caddies
Materials
Mahogany
Very Robust Brassbound William IV Anglo-Chinese Padouk Silver Chest
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A very robust brassbound William IV Anglo-Chinese padouk silver chest, of rectangular form with a hinged lid and the original substantial brass carrying handles, the lock stamped ‘Barron WR Patent’. Circa 1830.
Footnote: In 1778 Robert Barron...
Category
Antique 1830s Chinese William IV Trunks and Luggage
Materials
Padouk
A Large Edwardian Copper-Bound Teak Log Box
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A large Edwardian copper-bound teak log box, the square section container with rounded corners, flanged rim and foot and encircled by four copper bands, the ti...
Category
Vintage 1910s English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Teak
A mahogany strong box made for the Ovenden Female Society, Instituted May 1809
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A mahogany strong box made for the Ovenden Female Society, Instituted May 1809, of deep rectangular form with a hinged lid, three brass locks, brass carrying handles and an applied b...
Category
Antique Early 1800s English Decorative Boxes
Materials
Mahogany
A late Victorian box ottoman
Located in Lymington, Hampshire
A late Victorian box ottoman, of rectangular form re-upholstered overall in distressed burgundy leather, the hinged lid deep-buttoned to form a seat, the sides decorated with close-n...
Category
Antique 19th Century English Late Victorian Buffets
Materials
Upholstery
You May Also Like
Early 20th Century Brass Mounted Mahogany Benson
Hedges Campaign Style Humidor
By Benson x Hedges, London
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Early 20th century Benson and Hedges mahogany humidor with brass detail in the style of 19th century English campaign furniture. The large mahogany box...
Category
Early 20th Century English Campaign Tobacco Accessories
Materials
Brass, Zinc
Art Deco Cigar Box
Located in Tampa, FL
This is a very fine art deco style cigar box out of Rosewood and trimmed in stainless steel. art deco. The interior is trimmed in plastic of the era in cream...
Category
Vintage 1930s French Cigar Boxes and Humidors
Materials
Stainless Steel
Late 19th Century Humidor
Located in Huntington, NY
American circa 1890 humidor.
Category
Antique Late 19th Century American Cigar Boxes and Humidors
Materials
Brass
$2,016 Sale Price
20% Off
19th Century Brass Bound Rosewood Campaign Type Jewelry Box
Located in Chapel Hill, NC
Mid 19th Century campaign type jewelry box in rosewood with inlaid brass bands and inset flush-mount handle on the center of the lid, opening to a relined interior with a fitted tray...
Category
Antique Mid-19th Century English Campaign Decorative Boxes
Materials
Brass
Vintage Wood Lined "Anno 1219" Lidded Box / Humidor by Iron Art of Copenhagen
By Chase and Co.
Located in San Diego, CA
A very rare wood lined "Anno 1219 Battle of Estonia" lidded box / humidor by Iron Art of Copenhagen, circa early 1900s. The casket box commemorates the Danish / Estonian Battle of Ly...
Category
Mid-20th Century American Art Deco Cigar Boxes and Humidors
Materials
Iron
Brass Bound Writing Slope from the Mid 19th Century
Located in Tunbridge Wells, GB
Heading : Brass bound writing slope from the mid 19th century
Date : c1850
Period : Victoria
Origin : England
Decoration : Brass bound with vacant brass cartouche. Inteiror lined...
Category
Antique Early 19th Century British Victorian Decorative Boxes
Materials
Wood













