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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:07:31 AM

Title: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:07:31 AM
half certain big wull will tell me to burn it, but i really like this box.  Outside of the obvious its old, what do you think of the edges and is that a common thing to do?

any ideas of how old?  hoping all pics will show
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:10:33 AM
ok the edge pics were too much for one post so here they are
Title: Re: the box
Post by: gg27 on May 27, 2013, 11:22:48 AM
Not sure that I want to wander into another "discussion" about joinery but I've always called these "butter box dovetails"  Out here it's pretty common for mid 20th C boxes.  GG
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:25:12 AM
yeah i tried to wait out the controversy but that is what made me ask too....I think it adds to what is an ordinary box
Title: Re: the box
Post by: ghopper1924 on May 27, 2013, 11:28:31 AM
I like this form of joinery, and "butter box" is a good name for it!

I've got a portable desk and a commodity box from the 1890s, both with this type of joinery.
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:30:46 AM
me too--until this one I havent seen it--except on the previous posts made me curious about mine.  Would there be a reason for the four dots on the top?  more decoration?
Title: Re: the box
Post by: gg27 on May 27, 2013, 11:32:42 AM
I don't know when they would have started using that type of joinery, but I would think late 19-early 20th C.  Out west here the only thing we really see them on is old butter boxes brought out here by dealers who shop at the auctions in the eastern US.  ;)  GG
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:34:20 AM
so is butter box a really general broad term because this is huge--
Title: Re: the box
Post by: gg27 on May 27, 2013, 11:40:28 AM
For me it's a generic term.  Whether it's right or not, I don't know.  What size is it?  I think I've seen that joinery on old rattan covered trunks that are stripped down, but that's the wrong shape.  Not sure what that would have been. 
Title: Re: the box
Post by: fancypants on May 27, 2013, 11:43:23 AM
Looks like an American (american made , that is) Dynamite box to me (1920's-1950's) with a pretty modern lock hasp screwed to it !
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 11:49:17 AM
wow=thats an interesting thought--

it is 27 1/2 inches length, 22 inches wide and 17 inches tall

no markings
Title: Re: the box
Post by: gg27 on May 27, 2013, 11:58:09 AM
Looks like an American Dynamite box to me (1920's-1950's) with a pretty modern lock hasp screwed to it !

No kidding "WOW"  never thought of that! 

Sugarcube  What are you using it for?  Just curious.  GG
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 12:03:52 PM
when I got it off craigs list from a lady who used it in an antique store for holding items it had a musty smell--I read somewhere to leave it outside for a few days and it seemed to do the trick, now it is lined all pretty with tissue paper, and i use it for storage and blankets--set things on top--its really not cookie cutter

wouldn't it be funny if it was used for ammunition at one time because it's got a killer girl look to it now
Title: Re: the box
Post by: Rauville on May 27, 2013, 12:24:16 PM
The size of the box equates more to what maybe could have been for wooden matches...or almost anything that was shipped by railroad back then.
It's probably no surprise that those are referred to as "box joints".

(Or maybe even for a typewriter?
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vintage-1926-Wooden-Dovetailed-Crate-For-Remington-Typewriter-12-/261212509901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd17a96cd#ht_2645wt_1182 (http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Vintage-1926-Wooden-Dovetailed-Crate-For-Remington-Typewriter-12-/261212509901?pt=LH_DefaultDomain_0&hash=item3cd17a96cd#ht_2645wt_1182))
Title: Re: the box
Post by: gg27 on May 27, 2013, 12:34:18 PM
I'm sorry, I didn't mean to bold the whole thing.   Glad that it's being used for storage & not as firewood.   ;)  GG
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 12:45:12 PM
no problem, its as far from ammunition as it gets--also interesting on the typewriter box, but this is quite crude.  the wood is dry also-=-what would anyone put on it for a wax or polish?
Title: Re: the box
Post by: fancypants on May 27, 2013, 01:26:12 PM
Now that we know the size of the box , I'd also add the possibility that it was used for bottles of booze/wine-related items during prohibition years .

I'd suggest that you use food-grade mineral oil on your cool little box , sugarcube5419 .
It's easy to apply & will give it the drink o' oil (or two) that it needs !
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 01:29:55 PM
another intriguing thought--in fact that one really could be feasible because this is crude, too large to tote around--and certainly large enough for a myriad of things 'for the barn" which i assume it was kept.

thanks for the info - mineral oil food grade can be bought at walmart?
Title: Re: the box
Post by: fancypants on May 27, 2013, 01:37:40 PM
I'd guess so , sc ... in the pharmacy dept. ... good stuff to have around for dry woods , pretty much non-toxic , cheap & a little goes a long ways !
Title: Re: the box
Post by: bigwull on May 27, 2013, 01:38:59 PM
I like this form of joinery, and "butter box" is a good name for it!

I've got a portable desk and a commodity box from the 1890s, both with this type of joinery.
Kindling,s an even better name..... ;D
Title: Re: the box
Post by: bigwull on May 27, 2013, 01:41:48 PM
when I got it off craigs list from a lady who used it in an antique store for holding items it had a musty smell--I read somewhere to leave it outside for a few days and it seemed to do the trick, now it is lined all pretty with tissue paper, and i use it for storage and blankets--set things on top--its really not cookie cutter

wouldn't it be funny if it was used for ammunition at one time because it's got a killer girl look to it now
you actually bought this.....and here was me thinking you,d rescued it from a skip.....i,ve burnt better.... ;D
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 01:54:33 PM
you finally woke up big wull?
Title: Re: the box
Post by: mart on May 27, 2013, 02:01:01 PM
We call it finger jointed here !! Used for shipping a myriad of things !!  Kind of a neat old box !!  I like it !!
Title: Re: the box
Post by: bigwull on May 27, 2013, 03:37:00 PM
you finally woke up big wull?
Oh,i,ve been awake all day....its this damned pc...thats been playing funny buggers...i think its on its last legs....keeps telling me, "Battery  critical."... switch to mains power, ..i,ve never been off mains power....i see it landing in the bin shortly.....
Title: Re: the box
Post by: ghopper1924 on May 27, 2013, 03:52:33 PM
you finally woke up big wull?
Oh,i,ve been awake all day....its this damned pc...thats been playing funny buggers...i think its on its last legs....keeps telling me, "Battery  critical."... switch to mains power, ..i,ve never been off mains power....i see it landing in the bin shortly.....

Hmmm, sounds like meltable slag to me ;D
Title: Re: the box
Post by: bigwull on May 27, 2013, 04:21:32 PM
Yes that just might happen yet,..perhaps i might try and do a Salvador Dali with it...
Title: Re: the box
Post by: sugarcube5419 on May 27, 2013, 05:17:30 PM
Big Wull- just use your plug in, that's what i do...
Title: Re: the box
Post by: mart on May 27, 2013, 05:22:04 PM
you finally woke up big wull?
Oh,i,ve been awake all day....its this damned pc...thats been playing funny buggers...i think its on its last legs....keeps telling me, "Battery  critical."... switch to mains power, ..i,ve never been off mains power....i see it landing in the bin shortly.....

Mmmm,,, dial up doesn't have that problem !!! ;D
Title: Re: the box
Post by: ghopper1924 on May 27, 2013, 05:25:28 PM
She who laughs last??? ;)