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Victorian Scottish Silver Gilt 'Freedom Box' Marquis of Lorne Duke of Argyll
JOHN RUSSELL, GLASGOW
1868
A fine and rare Victorian Scottish silver gilt Freedom Box, presented to the Marquis of Lorne, of large rectangular form with hinged lid. The sides and lid richly decorated with floral and strap work decoration on a matt background, a raised central circular boss with the Campbeltown Coat of Arms and motto, the silver gilt interior with engraved presentation to the base of the boss as follows "Presented with the Freedom of the Burgh of Campbeltown, to the right Honourable John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquis of Lorne, 1868. The box raised on compressed bun feet.
By John Russell, Glasgow, 1868.
The local Newspaper reported the presentation of the box to the Marquis as follows:-
Oban Times
And Argyllshire Advertiser
Saturday, October 24, 1868.
No 121. (Page 2. Column 5.)
CAMPBELTOWN.
THE MARQUIS OF LORNE:- The Marquis of Lorne was entertained to a banquet in the Town Hall, Campbeltown, on Friday last, and was also presented with rhe freedom of the burgh. Provost Beith, who presided on the occasion, too the chair shortly after six o’clock. He was supported on the right by the Marquis of Lorne, the guest of the evening; E. H. Crauford, Esq., MP., Captain Macneal of Ugadale; Dr Boyd; Captain Stewart, 11th Hussar; Rev. Hector Macneil, of Ardnacross; J. C. Macnaughton, Esq. of Kilellan; Frederick Macneal, Esq., High Lossit; D. Macdougall, Esq., banker; and on the left by Sheriff Gardiner; Rev. Mr Russell; John. L. Stewart, Esq. of Coll, chamberlain to the Duke of Argyll; Rev. Mr Cameron; Captain Mackay, Carskey; Major Harris; Rev. W. Wood, A.M., Oxon; Captain Hewson, Argyll and Bute Militia. The Treasurer, the Dean of Guild, ex-Provost Galbraith, and James Harvey, Esq., discharge the duties of croupiers. In making the presentation the Provost referred to the high estimation in which his lordship was held by the community, and has no doubt that he would follow the example of his ancestors, and maintain the dignity of the noble family to which he belongs. The Marquis replied in a lengthy speech. The box containing the burgess’ ticket and an accompanying address is manufactured of silver gilt. Its size is 5.75 by 3.5 inches, and its depth 1.5 inches. The lid is beautifully chased and ornamented. On a raised centre is placed the Campbeltown coat of arms, with its well-known motto; and on the inside is engraved the following inscription:- Presented with the Freedom of the Burgh of Campbeltown, to the right Honourable John Douglas Sutherland Campbell, Marquis of Lorne, 1868
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Price
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£5750.00 (This item has been sold)
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| Condition |
In good condition with no damage or repair. |
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Height
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45
mm
(1.77 inches)
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Width
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145
mm
(5.71 inches)
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Depth
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87
mm
(3.43 inches)
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| Weight |
393.00
Grams
(12.64 troy ounces)
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| Country |
Scotland |
| Stock Code |
008099D |
| Medium |
Silver |
| Provenance |
John Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll.
John George Edward Henry Douglas Sutherland Campbell, 9th Duke of Argyll KG KT GCMG GCVO VD PC (6 August 1845 – 2 May 1914), usually better known by the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, by which he was known between 1847 and 1900, was a British nobleman and was the fourth Governor General of Canada from 1878 to 1883.
He was born in London, the eldest son of George, Marquess of Lorne and the former Lady Elizabeth Sutherland-Leveson-Gower, daughter of the 2nd Duke of Sutherland, and was styled Earl of Campbell from birth. In 1847, when he was 21 months old, his father succeeded as 8th Duke of Argyll and he assumed the courtesy title Marquess of Lorne, which he bore until he was 54. He was educated at Edinburgh Academy, Eton, St Andrews and at Trinity College, Cambridge,[1] as well as at the National Art Training School.[2]
For ten years before coming to Canada, Campbell travelled throughout North and Central America, writing travel literature and poetry.[2] In the UK, he represented, since 1868, the constituency of Argyllshire as a Liberal Member of Parliament in the House of Commons. He made little impression there, however; the London World referred to Campbell as "a non-entity in the House of Commons, and a non-entity without."[2]
Campbell married Queen Victoria's fourth daughter, Princess Louise, on 21 March 1871. This was the first time a Princess had married a commoner since 1515. The pair shared a common love of the arts, but tended to live apart and never had children. Further, Campbell formed close friendships with men who were rumoured to be homosexually inclined, which raised questions about Campbell's marriage and fuelled rumours around London that Campbell was bisexual,[2] if not largely homosexual in predisposition.
When Lord Lorne's appointment was announced, there was great excitement throughout Canada. For the first time, Rideau Hall would have a royal resident. The Canadian Prime Minister relaxed his busy campaign schedule to prepare for her arrival and to organise a special carriage and corps of guards to protect the Princess. An author wrote in 1880 that "the appointment was hailed with satisfaction in all parts of the Dominion, and the new Governor General entered upon his term of office with the hearts of the people strongly prepossessed [sic] in his favour."[4] However, Campbell and his wife were initially not received well by the Canadian press, which complained about the imposition of royalty on the country's hitherto un-regal society, a position that was only exasperated by mishaps and misunderstandings.[5] The worries of a rigid court at the Queen's Canadian residence turned out to be unfounded;[5] the royal couple were found to be more relaxed than their predecessors, as demonstrated at the many ice skating and tobogganing parties, balls, dinners, and other state occasions hosted by the Marquess and Marchioness.[6]
During Lorne's term of office, the recession plaguing the Canadian economy ended and Sir John A. Macdonald returned as Prime Minister. Canada was experiencing a renewal of optimism and an upswing of nationalism.
At age 33, Lord Lorne was Canada's youngest Governor General, but he was not too young to handle the marginal demands of his post. He and Princess Louise made many lasting contributions to Canadian society especially in the arts and sciences. They encouraged the establishment of the Royal Society of Canada, the Royal Canadian Academy of Arts and the National Gallery of Canada, even selecting some of its first paintings. Campbell was also involved in the completion of the Canadian Pacific Railway and other projects, such as a hospital for British Columbia.[2] In addition to acting as a patron of arts and letters in Canada, Lorne was the author of many books of prose and poetry. His writings show a deep appreciation of Canada's physical beauty.
Throughout his term of office, Lorne was intensely interested in Canada and Canadians. He travelled throughout the country encouraging the establishment of numerous institutions, and met with members of Canada's First Nations and with other Canadians from all walks of life. At Rideau Hall, he and Princess Louise hosted many social functions, including numerous ice skating and tobogganing parties as well as balls, dinners and State occasions.
Princess Louise returned to England in 1881 and Lord Lorne followed two years later in 1883. Lorne was Governor and Constable of Windsor Castle from 1892 to 1914, and he sat as MP for Manchester South from 1895 until the death of his father on 24 April 1900, when he succeeded as 9th and 2nd Duke of Argyll (his father had been created Duke of Argyll in the Peerage of the United Kingdom in 1892). He and Princess Louise lived at Kensington Palace until his death from pneumonia in 1914.
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