Provenance: From the collection of Jerald Barnes, a former US diplomat who collected in West Africa. A written provenance statement is included with your purchase.
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Overview
Two antique wooden shipping boxes from American hardware makers, each with its original black stenciled advertising. The larger one is a long, shallow tray marked MINIATURE KEG WIRE CARPET TACKS along the front, with STEEL WIRE TACKS, MADE BY TAUNTON WIRE NAIL CO., TAUNTON, MASS. on one end. The smaller box has finger-jointed corners and is printed on one end THE DIAMOND MOWER KNIFE GRINDERS, SOLD ONLY BY WHITMAN & BARNES MFG. CO., inside a decorative border. The wood has a warm orange-brown tone with darker staining, and the lettering stands out well on both. They work as display pieces or light storage on a shelf, workbench, counter or coffee table, and they look good stacked together.
Background
Before cardboard cartons, hardware and farm supplies were shipped in wooden boxes printed with the maker's name. The Whitman & Barnes Manufacturing Co., based in Akron, Ohio, made mower and reaper knives and other farm and tool lines from the late 1870s, and used the Diamond name on some of its products. The Taunton Wire Nail Co. of Taunton, Massachusetts, made tacks and small nails and is listed in 1890s Taunton directories. The two boxes were not made as a set. Neither is dated; the makers and the construction fit the late 19th to early 20th century, circa 1890-1920. The tray is nailed together, and the smaller box has machine-cut finger joints.
Condition
Antique condition with wear throughout. The tray has a split and a missing piece along the bottom edge of its marked end panel, plus scratches, stains and darkened edges. The smaller box has a split in the bottom board, a long crack along one side, a white residue spot on one end, and old nails with paper remnants on the printed panel where a label was once tacked on; some of its lettering is faded. Both boxes are empty and neither has a lid. Please see all photos.
Dimensions & Weight
The tray measures 21.3 x 11.5 x 3.4 inches (L x W x H). The smaller box measures 15.6 x 7.5 x 5.6 inches (L x W x H). Together they weigh about 5 lb.
Shipping
Free standard shipping within the US, packed securely.
