A fascinating relic of Welsh hotel history will be going under the hammer at Unique Auctions’ Antiques, Gold, Fine Art, Entertainment & Collectors Auction
on Sunday 22nd, when a rare 19th/early 20th century brass hotel key and fob from the Central Hotel, Cardiff comes up for sale.
The brass fob, marked “CENTRAL HOTEL CARDIFF”, is attached to its original room key for Room 5. Intriguingly, the piece carries period instructions typical of early hotel practices. One side reads “AFFIX POSTAGE STAMP HERE”, while the reverse states:
“PLEASE LEAVE KEY AT THE OFFICE
IF TAKEN AWAY PLEASE RETURN PER POST UNSEALED”
These details offer a charming insight into a time before modern security systems, when guests were trusted to return keys by post if accidentally taken home.
The Central Hotel itself was one of Cardiff’s most prominent Victorian establishments, located directly opposite Cardiff General Station (now Cardiff Central). Opened in the late 19th century
during the city’s rapid expansion as a coal-exporting powerhouse, the hotel catered to business travellers, shipping agents, and visitors arriving by rail. Its grand architecture and prime
location made it a landmark of Cardiff’s commercial golden age.
Today, surviving artefacts from the Central Hotel are scarce, making this brass key and fob an appealing collector’s item for those interested in hotel history, transport heritage, or Welsh
memorabilia.
The lot will be available to view at Unique Auctions’ Lincoln saleroom on Friday 20th February from 9am to 4pm, and on the morning of the sale from
8am, with bidding starting at 9am on Sunday 22nd.
Collectors of historic ephemera will not want to miss this evocative glimpse into Cardiff’s past
hospitality traditions.
