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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: frogpatch on June 26, 2012, 08:27:57 PM

Title: I Need to Re-Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: frogpatch on June 26, 2012, 08:27:57 PM
I found this Griswold, cast iron mail box over the weekend.  The woman who owned it used it to hold fireplace matches. I do not have a fireplace right now but I would like to clean it up and use it for something but I do not know what. I am usually good at re-purposing but my creativity hit a wall with this  I know the age and approximate value of it as there are several online right now. It was made around 1910. If anyone has a good idea for it I would appreciate any suggestion. Thanks
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: mart on June 27, 2012, 08:27:51 AM
Size ?? Does the front open ??  Neat find !!  What room do you want to use it in ??
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: frogpatch on June 27, 2012, 08:46:56 AM
It is the size to hold standard business size letters with wiggle room. Maybe 6 x 12 inches. There is a letter slot on the top and the lid has a hasp to lock it. There is a peep old towards the bottom that swings open.  The postman could put letters in through the slot and you would have to unlock it to take them out. The front does not open. I would probably want to use it in the kitchen but I am open to suggestions. I only have a few rooms.
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: Texasbadger on June 27, 2012, 09:16:15 AM
We build custom boxes for the old style brass mailboxes from post offices to make piggy banks out of them, they are combination and sell like crazy at shows
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: frogpatch on June 27, 2012, 09:32:14 AM
Good idea! I could lock the door and drop cash in from the top slot for fishing equipment and beer and keep the combo a secret!  LOL
On second thought I guess saving for gifts and dinner for my wife would be a lot safer idea
Maybe a wall mounted cuss bucket. I would be broke all the time though
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: mart on June 27, 2012, 01:44:33 PM
A mad money hiding spot sounds good !! If it were mine I might have old wooden kitchen tools sticking out the top !! Course I love old wooden spoons and such !!
Title: Re: I Need to Re=Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: frogpatch on June 27, 2012, 02:04:38 PM
That is a good idea Mart. We have a lot of those too but they are mostly in storage right now.
Title: Re: I Need to Re-Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: KC on June 27, 2012, 11:15:16 PM
Flower holder, string holder (put inside and let string hand out), etc....
Title: Re: I Need to Re-Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: frogpatch on June 28, 2012, 07:51:31 AM
Excellent ideas KC Thanks. I use butchers twine frequently. That would work nicely!
Title: Re: I Need to Re-Purpose this Mailbox
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on June 28, 2012, 05:24:09 PM
I would keep it just as it is and hang it on the wall to hold bills.