{"product_id":"gift-from-winston-churchill-silver-box-and-letters","title":"Gift from Winston Churchill, Silver Box and Letters","description":"Gift from Winston Churchill, Silver Box and Letters\u003cbr\u003e Dutch silver, imported by Berthold Muller\u003cbr\u003e Hallmarked Chester, 1908; presented in 1955 \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e For six years, Jane Welby served as Winston Churchill’s personal secretary, taking his dictation through his return to Downing Street and his second premiership. In 1955, Winston and his wife Clementine gave her this silver box, engraved with their names and hers. Clementine’s accompanying note brings the gift into the private world they shared with Jane: it was “For a few of your trinkets.” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The letters and cards that accompany it show that Jane remained close to the Churchills long after she left Winston’s staff. Clementine sent Christmas and birthday greetings, thanked Jane in 1960 for helping with television films of Winston’s war memoirs and wrote again in 1969 to thank her for a birthday telegram. Interestingly, Clementine chose reproductions of Winston’s paintings for the family Christmas cards and added personal notes to Jane. A 1963 telegram sent in Winston’s name reads, “Thank you so much dear Jane.” Together, these messages follow a relationship sustained well beyond Jane’s years as his secretary. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e The box itself is Dutch silver, with village scenes and figures framed by Rococo-style scrollwork. Imported by Berthold Muller and hallmarked at Chester in 1908, it had already lived a history of its own before the Churchills chose it for Jane. The engraved gift and accompanying correspondence preserve the personal relationship that gave it lasting meaning. \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Engraved “To Jane Welby from Winston and Clementine Churchill 1955” \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Box: 1 1\/2\" high x 9\" wide x 3 1\/4\" deep \u003cbr\u003e\u003cbr\u003e Provenance:\u003cbr\u003e Jane Welby, by direct presentation from Winston and Clementine Churchill in 1955\u003cbr\u003e Private collection, UK\u003cbr\u003e M.S. Rau, New Orleans","brand":"M.S. Rau","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":45930895573127,"sku":"32-3034","price":18850.0,"currency_code":"USD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0083\/2471\/0466\/files\/32-3034_1.png?v=1790263313","url":"https:\/\/rauantiques.com\/products\/gift-from-winston-churchill-silver-box-and-letters","provider":"M.S. Rau","version":"1.0","type":"link"}