Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Card Case / Aide-Mémoire, Robertson Tartan
Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Card Case / Aide-Mémoire, Robertson Tartan
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Item Title: Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Card Case / Aide-Mémoire, Robertson Tartan
**Additional Description:** A hand-sized folding case with a lacquered tartan-printed wood cover in red, black and dark green, labeled "Robertson" in gold lettering at the top edge. The spine is wrapped in rose-pink velvet. The interior is lined in pink moiré silk with two panels, a center gusset for cards or notes, and a small silk-covered pencil holder (the pencil itself is missing). This format was typically sold as a card case, notebook cover, or aide-mémoire.
**Era:** Mid-to-late Victorian, c. 1850-1880 (Tartan Ware's peak popularity, within the broader c. 1840s-1900 Mauchline range).
**History:** Tartan Ware is a type of Mauchline Ware, produced in and around Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, and later by other Scottish makers. Sycamore and other pale woods were covered with printed or hand-painted tartan paper, then heavily lacquered. Popularized by Queen Victoria's love of the Highlands and Balmoral, these pieces were sold as souvenirs to Victorian tourists. Tartans were often labeled by clan name, as here. Small stationery and sewing accessories like this were common.
**Provenance:** Unknown. Please add any known ownership history, purchase location, or family information here.
**Materials:** Lacquered wood with a printed tartan paper covering, silk moiré lining, velvet spine, and a silk-covered pencil sleeve.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 4 x 2.75 in (10 x 7 cm) closed, judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The lacquer has light surface scratches, minor scuffs, and small specks of wear on the cover. There is fraying and a small loss at the top of the velvet spine. The silk lining is intact but shows fading, light soiling, and slight fraying at the spine and pencil-holder edges. The original pencil is missing. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $60-$150 USD. Robertson is a less common clan than some, and the intact interior and attractive printing support the upper end, while the spine wear and missing pencil hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, LiveAuctioneers) for comparable Tartan Ware card cases before pricing, as the market varies by clan, size, and condition.
Item Title: Antique Mauchline Ware Tartan Ware Card Case / Aide-Mémoire, Robertson Tartan
**Additional Description:** A hand-sized folding case with a lacquered tartan-printed wood cover in red, black and dark green, labeled "Robertson" in gold lettering at the top edge. The spine is wrapped in rose-pink velvet. The interior is lined in pink moiré silk with two panels, a center gusset for cards or notes, and a small silk-covered pencil holder (the pencil itself is missing). This format was typically sold as a card case, notebook cover, or aide-mémoire.
**Era:** Mid-to-late Victorian, c. 1850-1880 (Tartan Ware's peak popularity, within the broader c. 1840s-1900 Mauchline range).
**History:** Tartan Ware is a type of Mauchline Ware, produced in and around Mauchline, Ayrshire, Scotland, and later by other Scottish makers. Sycamore and other pale woods were covered with printed or hand-painted tartan paper, then heavily lacquered. Popularized by Queen Victoria's love of the Highlands and Balmoral, these pieces were sold as souvenirs to Victorian tourists. Tartans were often labeled by clan name, as here. Small stationery and sewing accessories like this were common.
**Provenance:** Unknown. Please add any known ownership history, purchase location, or family information here.
**Materials:** Lacquered wood with a printed tartan paper covering, silk moiré lining, velvet spine, and a silk-covered pencil sleeve.
**Dimensions:** Not provided. It appears to be roughly 4 x 2.75 in (10 x 7 cm) closed, judging by the hand in the photos. Please measure to confirm before listing.
**Disclaimers / Condition:** Good antique condition with age-appropriate wear. The lacquer has light surface scratches, minor scuffs, and small specks of wear on the cover. There is fraying and a small loss at the top of the velvet spine. The silk lining is intact but shows fading, light soiling, and slight fraying at the spine and pencil-holder edges. The original pencil is missing. The piece has not been professionally authenticated, and the description reflects visual assessment only. Please review all photos.
**Value:** Estimated retail value of $60-$150 USD. Robertson is a less common clan than some, and the intact interior and attractive printing support the upper end, while the spine wear and missing pencil hold it back. Check recent sold listings (eBay sold, LiveAuctioneers) for comparable Tartan Ware card cases before pricing, as the market varies by clan, size, and condition.