Birmingham 1880 by George Unite
A Victorian sterling silver combination vesta and cigarette case

Of rectangular book form with a push button release. Gilt interior with a hinged match section, striking plate to the base. The lid engraved with EA in cypher below a crown. Fully marked to interior only.

Length - 10.1 cm / 4 inches

Weight - 143 grams / 4.6 ozt

The initials probably refer to Elisabeth Empress of Austria (1837-1898), who from her marriage on 24 April 1854 Franz Joseph I she was Empress of Austria and later Queen of Hungary until her assassination in 1898. She spent regular time in the United Kingdom, between 1874 and 1882 the Empress stayed seven times; five times in England and twice in Ireland.