Antique Art Deco Cigarette Case Linked to General MacArthur and Charles Lindbergh?

This antique Art Deco mother-of-pearl-ish flourished gold and gilded silver with Japanese lacquer vanity or cigarette case uses hallmarks to inform us that it has been manufactured in France, made out of 18ct gold and gilded silver and that it has been imported in London in 1928.

However, it speaks volumes through its engraving on the inside: “To Violet from Major McArthur 3-12-1929“. As everyone opening this box, we asked ourselves the question: “Who are Violet and Major McArthur?”. And so our search began.

First and foremost, there’s one famous Major MacArthur to be found: the 1st World War hero Douglas McArthur. Is this the man who gifted this case to Violet? Moving on to Violet herself: she appears to be much more anonymous. However, there’s one link between a certain Violet Sharp and the ‘Major MacArthur’ – result from our investigation: the famous Charles Lindbergh. We’ve listed the important data concerning this case below, so you can connect those dots yourself. To us, this case could be memorabilia of an interbellum fling – or even a forbidden love.

Would you say that each moment of the timeline is just a coincidence or too much of a coincidence to be a coincidence anymore?

Timeline:

• 1922: MacArthur’s marriage with Louise Cromwell Brooks, New York.
• 1922-1930: MacArthur’s mission to the Philippines on command of General John J. Pershing, due to a negative evaluation and -according to Mrs McArthur- due to Pershing’s interest in McArthur’s wife.
• 1925: MacArthur’s promotion to Major.
• 1927: Lindbergh successfully performs the first transatlantic solo flight (from New York to Paris).
• 1927: Lindbergh’s receipt of the Medal of Honor for performing the first transatlantic solo flight.
• 1927: MacArthur’s receipt of the Medal of Honor for his action during WWI, which was originally meant for Charles Lindbergh.
• 1927 – 1928: Import of the case in London.
• 28/07/1928 – 12/08/1928: MacArthur’s presence at the Olympic Games in Amsterdam as a US representative.
• 18/06/1929: MacArthur’s divorce from Louise Cromwell Brooks.
• 3/12/1929: MacArthur’s gift of the case to Violet.
• pre 1930: Violet’s married life in London until divorce.
• 22/06/1930: Lindbergh’s first son is born and Violet’s appointed as a household maid for the Lindbergh family in Morris County, New Jersey (ca. 100km from West Point, New York).
• 01/03/1932: Lindbergh’s son’s abduction. Violet is a strong suspect due to failing/refusing to name her alibi.
• 10/06/1932: Violet’s suicide.
• 1930-1935: MacArthur’s appointment to chief of staff to the United States Army. For this job, he was most likely stationed at West Point, New York.
• 1935: MacArthur’s meeting with Jean Faircloth during his travel to the Philippines for a new mission.
• 1944: Lindbergh’s and MacArthur’s cooperation during WWII mission.

Condition: very good condition

Country of origin: France

Period: ca. 1928

Material: Gilded silver and on the top an 18ct yellow gold cartouche.

Hand engraving: “To Violet from Major McArthur 3 – 12 – 1929”

Hallmarks: The French control marks representing an eagle’s head next to a wild boars head that was in use in France from about 1905. This hallmark was used for jewels that were made both in gold and in silver.

Dimensions: 8,57 cm (3,37 inch) x 7,50 cm (2,95 inch) x 9,70 cm (3,82 inch)

Weight: 185,10 gram (119,02 dwt)