How and where was the Reigate cache discovered? Left: The
Reigate doublet in a purpose made mount and a replica now
displayed at J. Stoneman and Sons showroom The Reigate cache of
two concealed objects was discovered in 1990, in a shop in
Reigate. The funeral directors and monumental stonemasons,
J.Stoneman and Sons own the shop. The shop was undergoing a re-
fit at the time the cache was found concealed: a doublet and an
inkwell. The cache was located above the ingle-nook fireplace
behind the main beam, between the ground floor and first floor.
The fireplace is a common location for concealed objects to be
found. When found the doublet was crumpled and dirty; it was
first thought to be a sack, but recognised as a garment because
of the buttons. What reaction did the discovery of the cache
provoke? The owner luckily recognised that the doublet and
inkwell may be of some significance and took them to curator Kay
Staniland of the Museum of London for identification. The
Textile Conservation Centre was contacted