Jeremiah Woolley Sterling Silver Ceremonial Key, First Labour Mayor of Preston,
1922 Sterling Silver Ceremonial Key Presented to Jeremiah Woolley, First Labour Mayor of Preston
An Exceptional Piece of Preston & Lancashire History
A remarkable sterling silver ceremonial presentation key with an exceptional connection to the political, civic and social history of Preston and Lancashire.
The key was presented to Councillor Jeremiah Woolley J.P., Mayor of Preston, in connection with the opening of the Preston Co-operative Society Central Stores on 6th November 1926.
Of particular historical importance, Jeremiah Woolley was Preston's first Labour Mayor.
The piece therefore represents a fascinating intersection between Preston's municipal history, the Labour movement and the British Co-operative movement during the interwar period.
Opening of the Preston Co-operative Society Central Stores
The substantial key has a highly decorative pierced and scroll-work terminal, extensively engraved on both sides.
Around one side is:
“PRESTON CO-OPERATIVE SOCIETY LD
6TH NOVEMBER 1926”with:
“OPENING OF THE CENTRAL STORES”
engraved prominently to the centre.
The reverse records:
“PRESENTED BY THE ARCHITECT
G. H. BROADBENT”surrounding the personal dedication:
“TO COUNCILLOR J. WOOLLEY J.P.
MAYOR OF PRESTON”
The survival of such comprehensive contemporary engraving gives this object particularly strong provenance. The recipient, his civic office, institution, occasion, exact date and architect are all recorded directly on the key.
Jeremiah Woolley, Preston's First Labour Mayor
The association with Jeremiah Woolley elevates this piece beyond conventional antique presentation silver.
Woolley served as Preston's first Labour Mayor, making the key a tangible surviving object associated with an important period in the city's political history.
Its presentation in connection with the Preston Co-operative Society is particularly evocative of the political and social environment of Britain's industrial communities during the early 20th century.
The piece consequently has strong specialist interest for collectors of Preston history, Lancashire social history, British political memorabilia, Labour history and the Co-operative movement.
Robert Chandler, Birmingham, 1922
The key was made by Robert Chandler, an established Birmingham silversmith, and carries Chandler's R.C. maker's mark alongside full Birmingham sterling silver hallmarks for 1922.
The hallmark therefore dates the silver key approximately four years before its documented presentation on 6th November 1926.
The key measures approximately 4½ inches (11.4 cm) long and has an approximate weight of 68.9g.
Its substantial construction and elaborate decoration are entirely appropriate for an important formal civic presentation.
Presented by Architect G. H. Broadbent
Another particularly interesting aspect of the provenance is the inscription recording that the key was:
“Presented by the Architect G. H. Broadbent”
This creates a direct association between the architect connected with the project, the Preston Co-operative Society and the Mayor who participated in its opening.
It is an unusually complete historical narrative to survive on a single object.
Original Fitted Presentation Case
Importantly, the key remains with its original fitted presentation case.
The case measures approximately 6 × 3 inches (15.2 × 7.6 cm), with a shaped interior designed to accommodate the distinctive ceremonial key.
The survival of the original case adds considerably to the completeness, presentation and historical appeal of the piece.
A Tangible Survivor of 1920s Preston
Few pieces of antique presentation silver retain such a readily identifiable story.
The hallmarks establish the maker, assay office and date of the silver, while the extensive engraving records a named Mayor, named architect, named organisation, specific opening ceremony and exact presentation date.
More importantly, those names and events connect the object directly with the changing political and social landscape of 1920s Preston and industrial Lancashire.
This is therefore much more than an ornamental piece of antique silver. It is a compelling historical artefact associated with Preston's first Labour Mayor and the city's Co-operative movement, surviving complete with its original fitted presentation case.
An exceptional addition to a collection of Preston or Lancashire history, British political and social history, the Labour movement, Co-operative history, civic memorabilia or antique silver.
Specifications
Material: Sterling silver
Maker: Robert Chandler
Maker's Mark: R.C.
Assay Office: Birmingham
Hallmark Date: 1922
Presentation Date: 6th November 1926
Recipient: Councillor Jeremiah Woolley J.P.
Office: Mayor of Preston
Historical Association: Preston's first Labour Mayor
Organisation: Preston Co-operative Society Ltd
Event: Opening of the Central Stores
Presented By: Architect G. H. Broadbent
Approximate Key Length: 4½ inches (11.4 cm)
Approximate Weight: 68.9g
Case: Original fitted presentation case
Approximate Case Size: 6 × 3 inches (15.2 × 7.6 cm)
Period: George V / early 20th century
Regional Interest: Preston / Lancashire
Condition: Very good overall condition considering it's age. The original fitted case has some minor age-related wear. Please refer closely to all photographs as they form an important part of the description.
12/08/26-1
