EPNS Cigarette Case - owned by Lou Weston

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1900 - 1940

Subcollections

Overview

Rectangular, electroplated nickel silver (EPNS), monogrammed cigarette case hinged on one long side, and fits in the palm of hand. The front has leaf engravings with initials in a shield shape in the middle. The back is blank. It has a clasp on the opposite side to the hinge.

Historical information

Ornate cigarette cases were primarily used as fashion accessories and personalized items. They served to protect cigarettes from being crushed or damaged and were often used to express individuality. Customized or passed down as family heirlooms, these cases often bore monograms or other personal touches. In an era where smoking was widespread, owning an ornate cigarette case became synonymous with glamour and class.

Details

Registration number

cwa-org-124-2026.070

Item type

Accessories

Decorative Objects

Personal Effects

Themes

Material

Electroplated Nickel Silver

Width

60 mm

Height or length

90 mm

Weight

65 g

Inscriptions and markings

Inside of case: the letters "AEW EPNS" imprinted.
Outside of case: one side has decorative leaf/fern like engravings, and in the middle is a decorative shield with "LNW" initials engraved.

Footnote: "AEW" is Arnold Edward Williams

Contextual information

This cigarette case belonged to Louis ("Lou") Noel Weston. The Lou Weston Oval in West Busselton is named after him.

He was employed as Assistant Forester at Ludlow. Lou served as the Busselton Shire President for a brief period.

Lou (B:1891 D:1973) served in the army in WW1 1915 - 1919, and also in WWII 1942 - 1945.

Lou married Annie Elizabeth May Weston (nee Reading), and they lived together until his death in 1973.

Keywords

Cigarette Case

Place made

AEW EPNS refers to vintage silver plated tablewear made by Arnold E. Williams, a Birmingham based manufacturer.

Year

1900 - 1940