Lot 176
THE HONOURABLE THE IRISH SOCIETY:-
An early 20th century pen tray with a gadrooned border, a small cigarette box and a small rectangular box with drop handles, each stamped in relief with the coat of arms of "The Honourable.The Irish Society" & the date "AD.1613"*, all by Harrods Stores Ltd.,London 1908/09/11; the pen tray 9" (23 cms) long; 12.6 oz (3)
*Commonly called The Irish Society, it is a consortium of Livery Companies of the City of London set up in 1613 to colonise County Londonderry during the Plantation of Ulster. It was incorporated by Royal Charter of King James I and some if its profits were used to develop the economy and infrastructure of the area (rebuilding Derry & Coleraine for example), while some profit was returned to its London investors and some used for charitable work. Today the Society exists as a small charitable body.
