Working Original Lock - Interior - New Leather Covering
Circa 1858
$190
Includes Shipping
trim work
1850's which is quite early. Some call something of this size a document box and that is correct
although I would imagine something like this not so much for the home but more geared toward
travel such as a child going back and forth to school. So I'm going to call it a school box. It was
originally covered in a thin linen oil cloth which was black in color and typical of the era. It had dried
out and flaked off in big chunks enough where nobody really wanted it. Pretty much the same for
the trim work, leather dust skirting, and many of the original brass tacks were missing and almost
impossible to match correctly these days. So in refinishing it, there are elements of old and new
here.
The leather covering is new as are the smaller brass tacks on the black trim. The brown dust
banding around the top lip is from about 1885 and salvaged from an old trunk strap. The handle is
original and was originally wrapped in a reddish to pink leather like substance but was ripped badly
and fairly incomplete. Removing the outer covering revealed the core leather which is in fine shape.
The two early style Jenny Lind brass buttons holding the handle in place, are original, and
unusually small for these type buttons. The metal tabs on the top are tin such as the tin used to
make tin cups that were common in the mid 1800's. What is very nice about this box is the original
working lock. Its style is every bit like those found in the earlier 1800's but this one is tiny and just
something that you do not see often at all. Consider it rare. The key is not original but probably
about 1910 or so and just a good clean barrel key. The hinges and lid holder are leather and
replacements in the exact style of the original.
The interior is currently original and other than being cleaned, untouched. Although I could coat it, it
is such that I would not hesitate placing objects in there as is. The paper is very much tied to the
mid 1800's and I believe covering it would be a mistake and something lost here. If you wish it
covered, it would be easy to do at your home, sorry, I just can't do it. On the bottom is also some of
the original paper with writing seen. As best I can make it says "Paid M. Libby" and 12 RM. Maybe
the later is a room number. There were no metal lunch boxes during this time and it was more
customary to carry food in tobacco, cookie, or biscuit tins. The lucky kids probably got to put their
supplies and those tins in a nicer box like this.
For some historical reference of time, in 1858 the 15th president was James Buchanan. In
Springfield Illinois, a lawyer with political aspirations by the name of Abraham Lincoln delivers his
"House Divided" speech to the state assembly.