Packaging, cardboard box

Cardboard box used as packaging for Mordan's & Co. compressed chalk. Sampson Mordan was a silversmith who first patented the mechanical pencil. The compressed chalks were used as 'lead' in the mechanical pencils, leaving a clear line and never needing to be sharpened. The box is now empty but was previously used in an office at the headquarters of Barings Brothers bank located at 8 Bishopsgate in the City of London.

Barings bank was founded in 1762 by Sir Frances Baring and, at the time of its collapse in 1995, was the oldest merchant bank in London. In 1806, the company moved its headquarters to 8 Bishopsgate, where it stayed until 1995. During this period the property underwent several expansions and refurbishments, and was completely rebuilt in 1981. This box of chalk together with other office equipment, was donated to the Museum during a refurbishment of the main banking hall and offices in the early 1970s