Very rare silver novelty chaffeur Mr Popple, cayenne pepper pot, Chester 1906

Edwardian novelty sterling silver cayenne pepper pot in the form of a chauffeur wearing a peak cap and goggles Cornelius Desormeaux Saunders & James Francis Hollings Shepherd, Chester 1906, Reg No 490421 This pepper pot was based upon the character of Mr Popple, and was made when the most popular musical comedy on stage was 'Mr Popple of Ippleton' by Paul Rubens, which opened on 14th November 1905 at the Apollo Theatre and ran for 173 performances. In the last act all the characters attended the Motor Carnival of the Magpie Club, at Wrexhill-on-Sea, all muffled in huge white motor coats made from blankets, the designs varied a little, but large gold buttons, huge turn-back cuffs, peaked caps and goggles were the chief adornments.