Desk blotter / folder of the Earls of Lonsdale, Lowther Castle, late Victorian

Late Victorian or early Edwardian desk blotter / folder from Lowther Castle in Cumbria. The 12 x 9 ins blotter is of black and red leather with the title Lowther along the lower red border and the monogram of L beneath an earl’s coronet [ for the Earl of Lonsdale ]in the centre. The interior has two gusseted pockets one of which is not opening well. The interior of the spine has the maker’s stamp in gilt of HOUGHTON & DUNN. 182. NEW BOND STREET the address which the company retained until 1906 when it was taken over by its neighbour Asprey . The gilt is somewhat faded.  oct11/2     22nd February 2022