Context (Analysis)
Perhaps a relative of donor. Edward Lovett (see E 1894.30-32)
Event Date
Author: maa

Description (Physical description)
Accession Register for Z 40643 A-B: 'Two "Lovett" tinder boxes "Best British flint and steel for Africa and the Colonies".'
Event Date 25/8/1985
Author: Imogen Gunn (admin)

Description (Physical description)
B) contains a steel, flint, cotton tinder, and a small magnifying glass, and an original set of instructions.
Event Date 22/8/2000
Author: maa

Context (Amendments / updates)
The tin was likely made by Jahncke Ltd, a tin box manufacturer based in Islington. The steel was made by Samuel Osborn and Co in Sheffield.
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Description (Inscription)
Front of tin in small stamped lettering 'Press here'. On sides in stamped lettering 'Jahncke's Patent'
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Context (Production / use)
According to Miller Christy (1903) in 'Concerning Tinder Boxes: Article IV Mechanical Tinder-Boxes' published in the Burlington Magazine, the Lovetts Tinder Box was designed by Mr Edward Lovett 'about four years ago' giving an earliest production date of c. 1899.
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Description (Physical description)
Complete 'Lovett's Tinder Box' kit including tin(.1), cotton tinder (.2), burning glass (.3), flint (.4), steel (.5) and instructions (.6). Tinplate box with hinged lid, opened by pressing in at the front, top with makers label in red and gold with lacquer. Box contains; Cotton tinder made of multicoloured cotton threads ending in metal cap; Burning glass of circular piece of glass surrounded by metal and attached to folding handle; Square piece of flint with knapped edges; Rectangular piece of steel with makers mark; Rectangular piece of paper with instructions for use, now in two pieces.
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Description (Physical description)
Manufacturers label reads 'The Lovett Tinder Box Best British Flint & Steel for Africa and the British Colonies'
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Context (Production / use)
Johnson (1908) in 'Folk memory or the continuity of British Archaeology' states 'The War Office bought 14000 of these boxes for shipment to South Africa during the Boer War. Each box was considered to be as serviceable as 300 times its bulk of matches'
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck

Description (Inscription)
On one side of steel, centre is stamped with image of an open hand next to a heart, and surrounding this the words 'SamL Osborn & Co Sheffield'
Event Date 8/2/2024
Author: Stephanie Chinneck