A Wood Box Unlike Any Other-Hand Held Too-It’s Worth Looking At

I bought this about 20 years ago and never really looked at it, that is until last week. It is the neatest wood box I’ve ever seen. Embedded into the wood is the patent date, February 19,1899. In 13 days this box will be 123 years old.

This photo is the top of the box.

The top and front.

Both sides look like this. Lol

The bottom of the box.

The inside of the box when fully open.

The inside when partly opened.

This it what it looks like when opened half way. Notice that small piece of metal centered in the top. That holds the box closed when connected to the metal piece in the bottom of the box.
Notice that thin strip of metal in the longer edges of the box. They are there when opened or closed. They act as hinges.

This is the nearest and coolest wood box I’ve ever seen. Photos just don’t do it justice. The following photos are what was inside the box but they are in the next post.

 

Log in or Sign up to hide this ad.

Very cool.
Wonder what it held inside?

 

Here’s what was inside the box. First is a solid glass ink well. This is the top view, followed by the ground bottom base and then a side view. Due to the solid half it’s on the heavy side for its size.
Here’s something else that was inside the box. A 1979-D Susan B. Anthony Dollar that has been rolled or elongated. The obverse is brown and the reverse is silver like in color. It comes complete with an eagle and a US flag. They was also 15 wooden nickels in there. That box was full.

The box is old, the ink well is just as old and the coin is 43 years old. Not bad for $7.50, even over 20 years ago.

 

I was typing that as you asked! LOL

 

Thats a very cool box. I would have had to buy it if I saw it first. LOL

 

I understand why and that’s what I did. I found this in an antique store.

 

Wow, interesting box. I wonder what was the intended purpose, breaking down into the four equal parts. After all, it was patented. @Collecting Nut, have you figured out the purpose?

 

Different, for sure.

 

That is very cool. I love the artistry and craftsmanship those old woodworkers put into their work. I am a weekend woodworker and am always interested in these kinds of things. I once was shown a craftsman’s toolbox from the 19th century. The box was an absolute thing of beauty with inlays and perfectly hewn dovetails. It was a box to carry his planes and each plane was attached inside. I can’t even begin to describe how beautiful the thing was. People sure did take pride in their work back then.

 

expat beat me to it! I have one somewhere; it still has the clips to hold the attachments.

 

Not yet but I sure like the box.

 

I had to give you a best answer for this as that is exactly what it is. Mine doesn’t have the cloth or the attachments. It was designed to be laid out and unfolded so one could reach all off the attachments.

Thank you for your information. But I have to ask, how did you know?

 

Sorry, just seen your question. My paternal Grandmother had three of them, she was a dressmaker and repairer in her village. As soon as I saw yours it brought back memories of my Sister and I playing with them when we were young kids.
Thanks for sharing

 

Your more than welcome and thank you for your answer. It reminded me of a treadle sewing machine that my grandmother had. We weren’t allowed in her sewing room but we snuck in at times.

 

I can’t believe someone knew what this was. It’s so different and neat.

 

My mom (85) still sews on a Singer. When I saw the wood and the box joints, her Singer Sewing Machine was the first thing I thought of. She has made me and the whole family many things on that machine. I wore shirts to school that no one had a match.