MacFarlane Lang & Co. Biscuit Tin - Victorian, Rare

Description

A rare divided biscuit tin in the shape of a portable writing desk from MacFarlane Lang & Co. of Glasgow and London. The tin opens to form a sloped writing surface printed to look like tooled leather. The tin and both compartments lock with a simple turnkey.
For Victorians, the portable writing desk was popular as heat and lighting were inefficient, and the desks could be moved to take advantage of  a
a warm fire or a
good light source. As people made long visits to friends and family, desks typically fit into one’s luggage, making them useful for travel. This desk appears to have been modeled on a Gentleman’s Writing Desk, made of burled wood with brass accents. The tin is very clean, with signs of usage consistent with its age. Altogether a lovely piece, and very usable even now to keep cards and notepaper neatly stored.
Dimensions, closed:
Height: 3-3/4”
Width: 8”
Depth: 5-1/2”
Dimensions, open:
Height: 2-5/8”
Width: 8”
Depth: 11-1/4”
Ships USPS Parcel Select, Priority Mail or UPS
About MacFarlane Lang & Co.:
James Lang opened a shop and bakery in Gallowgate in 1817. His nephew, John Macfarlane, joined the business and took over when James died. A new bread factory was built at Wesleyan Street in Calton in 1880. The firm decided to move into machine-made biscuit manufacturing and opened the Victoria Biscuit Works on an adjoining site in 1886. Expansion to London followed, with the opening of the Imperial Biscuit Works in Fulham in 1903.
In 1925 a new Victoria Biscuit Works with modern equipment was opened in Tollcross. Macfarlane Lang joined with other biscuit manufacturers to form United Biscuits in 1948. United Biscuits has since expanded to become one of Britain's leading food suppliers, and the Tollcross factory remains a major employer in Glasgow's East End at the beginning of the 21st century.