A Victorian wooden snuff box presented to the jockey Fred Archer in 1878, with knuckle style hinge, fine pen and ink work to the lid illustrating a ra

A Victorian wooden snuff box presented to the jockey Fred Archer in 1878, with knuckle style hinge, fine pen and ink work to the lid illustrating a racehorse and jockey, the interior with manuscript label reading THIS SNUFF BOX WAS PRESENTED TO FRED ARCHER, JOCKEY, CHELTENHAM IN 1878 BY H. VILLIAR [SIC] ESQ., , ARCHITECT, CHELTENHAM. THE HORSE ENGRAVED THEREON IS THE ONE WITH WHICH HE WON HIS ONLY DERBY The date mentioned in the inscription suggests that this snuff box was presented to Fred Archer (1857-1886) as a 21st Birthday present. It also points towards the decoration being a portrait of Archer's 1877 Derby winner Silvio, his only success in the race up to the time of this gift. Inspired by the ownership of this snuff box, the vendor has conducted extensive research into the Villar family including their connections to Fred Archer and the racing world, and it is proposed to be published in a future historical journal. The auctioneer has been given permission to publish a synopsis of this work as it relates to the snuff box, below: Extensive research of all available births, deaths & marriages and census sources confirms the absence of the name Villiar during this period of time. It is undoubtedly a misspelling of the name Villar, a family described as good friends of Fred Archer in E.M. Humphris' biography 'The Life of Fred Archer'. The book has several recollections of the horse dealer William Villar. William's father, James, was treasurer of the Cotswold Hunt and Chairman of its Trade Committee. In 1878, along with three of his other sons, James Jnr, John G and Harry, the last named son being responsible for the presentation of this snuff box to Fred Archer. James Snr ran one of Cheltenham's highest profile businesses; 'James Villar & Sons'. The firm encompassed the services of auctioneers, architects, surveyors, land agents and estate agents. The auction of Archer's possessions at Falmouth House, Newmarket, was accredited to the auctioneer and brother in law of Harry Villar, G. Hone of 1 Portland Street, Cheltenham. 1 Portland Street was in fact the premises of James Villar & Sons. With the press' announcement of the auction, The Cheltenham Examiner stated that the auctioneer was 'Mr. G Hone (Mr. H Villar).' E.M. Humphris' biography of Fred Archer reveals a good friend R.H. Mills, better known as Herbert Mills. Mills was an executor of Archer's will, and also appeared as a character witness for Harry Villar during criminal proceedings against him.