Five English silver presentation snuff boxes, Birmingham, 1807-1860

all rectangular, the first of curved outline, by John Shaw, 1807; the second engine-turned with reeded sides and base, by Nathaniel Mills, 1832, the rim signed William Hall Fecit; the third similar but smaller, by Thomas Shaw, 1834; the fourth large shaped rectangular with raised foliate border, engraved with arms, by Nathaniel Mills, 1845; the last shaped rectangular engraved with flowers and strapwork, maker's mark AT, 1860

1807, 1832, and 1838 boxes: Hobart House, Haddam CT, 1979-80

1845 box slightly rubbed, others good
In response to your inquiry, we are pleased to provide you with a general report of the condition of the property described above. Since we are not professional conservators or restorers, we urge you to consult with a restorer or conservator of your choice who will be better able to provide a detailed, professional report. Prospective buyers should inspect each lot to satisfy themselves as to condition and must understand that any statement made by Sotheby's is merely a subjective qualified opinion.
NOTWITHSTANDING THIS REPORT OR ANY DISCUSSIONS CONCERNING CONDITION OF A LOT, ALL LOTS ARE OFFERED AND SOLD "AS IS" IN ACCORDANCE WITH THE CONDITIONS OF SALE PRINTED IN THE CATALOGUE.

The inscriptions read:
Presented by the Non-Commissioned Officers and Privates of the 1^st Battn Compy 6^th SSW to William Rodger, Esqr, their Captain...1809

"To William Rattenbury surgeon, in testimony of the gratitude and esteem of his fellow townsmen, for his humane and unceasing attention to the Poor; during the awful visitation of malignant Cholera at Plymouth, A.D. 1832"

"Given by the young men of Carlisle to be wrestled for on Good Friday, April 13^th 1838 by men not exceeding 12 stones in weight, won by Robert Young"

"Presented to Mr. Robert Spinks, by the members of the Horse Shoe Fund Society, City Division, as a token of their esteem and respect...November 1850"

"To Charles Butler, Esq. As a token of regard and esteem, from his Friends on the Home Circuit, July 1861"

In 1832 cholera spread through the town of Plymouth, and is recorded to have killed 1,031 people. The Medical Times and Gazette noted that the epidemic was communicated by "sailors and other persons who indulged freely in malt liquors, and those were the persons who suffered most."  William Rattenbury, a surgeon in the Royal Navy, was one of thirty-eight members of the medical profession to be recognized by the mayor and Commonalty of Plymouth for services rendered in connection with the 1832 outbreak.  He was awarded with a gold medal and another silver snuff box in 1849 when the illness again struck Plymouth killing 1,894 people.