Three beautifully proportioned sign-written document tins with their original lettering and black paint finish. Our tins once held important wills, papers and effects of the deceased, and were unearthed from the vaults of a vacated Clerkenwell solicitors Victorian offices. The trunk-sized picture settlements tin is of special interest, as it associated with the original owner of Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi - the most expensive art work ever sold. More details of which below.

Each has twin carrying handles and a hinged lid. We are selling these individually, so please make your selection in the box below.

Country of origin: UK

Date of manufacture: c.1900 - 1930

Material: tin

Condition: our document tins have seen a century of use, and they bear the scars of their solicitous duties and toil. We have highlighted below any defects beyond the usual marks, knocks and scratches you would find on document tins of this age. 

G S Pickard Deceased Trust

Label inside tin "W F H Clerkenwell"

Length 41.5cm Depth 29cm  Height 24.5cm

Inside measurements: Length 39.5cm 

Depth 26cm  Height 20.5cm (not including actual lid height)

The top of the lid is slightly bowed inward. See image.

£  SOLD

W J Newstead

Length 42cm Depth 31cm  Height 23cm

Inside measurements: Length 40cm 

Depth 27cm  Height 19cm (not including actual lid height)

The top is heavily scratched, yet this is historical patination and adds to its good-looks. One end has the owner's name more crudely applied. See images. 

£145

Trustees of Sir Francis F M Cook's Picture Settlements

This trunk-sized tin has pedigree, for it has a connection with the most expensive painting ever sold - and this makes it rather special. Sir Francis Ferdinand Maurice Cook (1907 – 1978) was a British artist, and the fourth holder of the Cook Baronetcy. The only son of Sir Herbert Cook, he inherited his father's titles in 1939, and after World War II he dispersed the majority of the family’s very important collection of old master paintings.

In June 1958 Cook sold a painting through Sotheby’s for £45 that later became known as Leonardo da Vinci’s Salvator Mundi which was recently sold for $450 million by Christie’s to Saudi Prince Badr bin Abdullah bin Mohammed Al Farhan. Cook sold the work at a time when his family was of the belief that the artist of the piece was Giovanna Antonio Boltraffio, a contemporary and studio friend of da Vinci. And just imagine, the documents relating to the sale of Salvator Mundi could well have once been held in this very trunk!

Length 61cm Depth 43cm  Height 35.5cm

Inside measurements Length 58cm 

Depth 39cm  Height 30cm (not including actual lid height)

Quite a lot of character-building scratches, and the typeface is set at a slight angle. See images.

£295.00

Delivery/collection of this particular item must be purchased/organised separate to product purchase. Please contact us to request a delivery estimate, if required.