Alexandra
Needle Case
Design Representation
Design Details
Needle Case Type: |
Flat-Names |
Patent/Registered to: |
James William Lewis - Birmingham |
Patent/Design Representation #: |
Non-Ornamental: #5100 |
Patent/Design Registration Date: |
February 11, 1870 |
Location of Patent/Design Registration: |
The National Archives (TNA) - Kew, UK |
Reference #: |
TNA Representation - BT 45/26/5100 |
Dimensions: |
5.1 x 5.1 |
Material: |
Brass |
Name Variations: |
a) Clasp marked Alexandra
b) Clasp marked Perry & Co
c) With paper insert marked Richard B. Turner - Redditch |
Other Variations: |
None |
Additional Photographs
Back view and side view with Alexandra name on clasp
Interior views
Interior view and interior detail
Interior view and interior detail with reference to Richard B. Turner which appears in some needle cases (photo courtesy of
Lynda Herrod)
Interior view and interior detail with reference to Richard B. Turner which appears in some needle cases (photo from eBay)
Side view with Perry & Co name on clasp (photo from eBay)
Facts
Alexandra was born in 1844 in Copenhagen, Denmark. Her father became the heir to the throne of Denmark when she was four years
old. During her childhood, her family was occasionally visited by Hans Christian Anderson who would read bedtime stories to the
children. At age 16 Alexandra was chosen by Queen Victoria to be the wife of her eldest son, Albert Edward, the future heir apparent
to the Queen. They were married in 1863.
History
Alexandra and Edward had six children: Albert Victor, George, Louise, Victoria, Maud and John. Alexandra’s father became the King of
Denmark, her brother became the King of Greece, her sister married the heir apparent to the Russian thrown and her nephew was the German
Emperor. She was known as the Princess of Wales until her mother-in-law died in 1901, then Alexandra become the queen-empress consort
to her husband, the new king. After her husband died in 1910 her son became King George V who reigned from 1910 until 1936 and Alexandra was
the Queen Mother until her death in 1925.
Miscellaneous
Edward, born Albert Edward, the eldest son of Queen Victoria was born in 1841 in Buckingham Palace. From the day of his birth until
his mother’s death 60 years later he lived as the heir apparent to the British throne. In 1860 he spent four months touring Canada and
the United States. Although Edward wanted to pursue a career in the military, his rank of lieutenant-colonel was merely honorary because
Queen Victoria did not approve of an active military career. During his mother’s reign he performing various ceremonial duties and
representing Britain abroad. He was best known as the epitome of the fashionable leisured elite and had a reputation for being quite a
playboy. He became King Edward VII after his mother’s death in 1901 until his own death nine years later in 1910. The time period
in which he reigned is known as the Edwardian period.
