Silver cigarette box presented to Joseph Theophelus Mears, founder of Chelsea Football Club, and dated 27th March 1902, the lid engraved with initials

Silver cigarette box presented to Joseph Theophelus Mears, founder of Chelsea Football Club, and dated 27th March 1902, the lid engraved with initials JTM and dated, cedar wood interior, 9 by 18cm., a few indentations but generally good Joseph Theophilus ''JT'' Mears (1871-1935) purchased Stamford Bridge Athletics Ground and co-founded Chelsea Football Club in 1905 with his brother. Although he was never chairman, Joseph was the dominant influence at the club after the death of his brother in 1912, and his son Joe and grandson Brian both later serving as chairman of the football club. Further memorabilia relating to the Mears family is offered elsewhere in this auction as lots 870, 897 & 898.