Item HCO/2/1 - Birthday Presentation 1897

Extent: 1 folder

Birthday presentation card made for Osterstock for his 21st birthday: faux leather card wallet, (29.5 x 24.5 cm) with an embroidered 'bookmark' sown onto a strip of burgundy coloured silk.: Front embossed 'Herbert Charles Osterstock 1897'' in gold lettering. Opens like a card, left side contains cream coloured silky material, right side a printed paper/card in the style of a certificate with coloured flowery border. This is in the style of a certificate with a red 'seal' and a message written in calligraphic style in black ink and signed by his 'fellow cricketers and lithographers'. The text reads: 'August 4th 1897. Presented to Herbert Osterstock. We your fellow cricketers and lithographers beg to tender you on the auspicious occasion of your arriving at man's estate, our very best wishes for your welfare and hope that your "lenses" may never grow weaker, your "day plates" fog or your cinematograph films frill. During the time you have been amongst us your nature has "developed" by a strong solution of natural ability combined with tenacity, has become "fixed" by perseverance and "toned" by good nature and generosity. It is therefore with the greatest pleasure we present you with this testimonial. In witness whereof we hereunto affix our hands and seal'. Signed by 'Keiger', 'Sandow', 'Jew', 'Press-Pusher', Richardson', 'Mumps', 'Sandy', 'Ice Cream Man' and 'Goggles'.

Admin History: This item was found in an attic in Merton by Peter James Bingham and donated to JIC in 2010. Osterstock lived with his sisters in Merton in the late 1890s. He is known to have lived in Watery Lane and Mostyn Road, Merton and was provided By the JIHI with a cottage in Merton Park in 1925.