A mid 19th century polished mahogany stationery box with brass escutcheon and vacant cartouche, with a fitted interior and long frieze 'secret' drawer; the drawer is spring loaded and activated by withdrawing the brass rod located inside. The box has a key which fits, but does not work, the lock. Inside the lid there is the original label for F Waller of 49 Fleet Street, see below for further details. The box contains an amount of original 18th and 19th century ephemera.
 
Frederick Waller joined George Rowe in business in 1807 as Rowe & Waller, Publishers and Printers at 49 Fleet Street. Previously Rowe had been in business under his own name from 1792. The partnership did well for 20 years but was dissolved on the 31st of December 1827, perhaps due to Rowe's retirement. The business of F. Waller continued at 49 Fleet Street until 1857 but at some point, Frederick's two sons Edmund (b. 1817) and Frederick junior (b. 1822) took over, keeping the same company name. The brothers announced their business was dissolved in 1857 although it had actually happened two years earlier. Edmund continued the business and was joined by F. Arnold who was perhaps a relative. The company was renamed Waller and Arnold and stayed at 49 Fleet Street. F. Waller started as publishers and printers but moved into manufacturing and selling stationery products. 
 
A delicate piece of desk furniture with an exceptional patina, a decorative and functional item, a really nice example, exceptionally well preserved.
 
The box measures 30.5 x 17.5 x 22.5cm (at the rear), w x d x h, (12" x 7" x 9").