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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: coconut on August 20, 2009, 05:37:01 PM

Title: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: coconut on August 20, 2009, 05:37:01 PM

 We have a wooden box it's 6.5'' long 3.5'' H 3.5'' D. On the top it says PATENTED then underneath is says 1889 then underneath that it looks like it says FEBRUARY and then the 19 I am sure of. So for sure there reads a 19 after the word I think it says February. The top of the box opens up then the whole thing uniquely folds all the way flat then can be close up as well back to it's original box shape. So there's a total of 4 hinges so the box can fold back up or lay flat.

Anyone know what this could be and if you do please let me know. We will get some photos of it shortly.

Thanks for any insight in advance.

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: KC on August 20, 2009, 08:14:52 PM

Hi coconut....welcome to the forum.  Really need pics!

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: fancypants on August 20, 2009, 10:14:01 PM

Using my majic zen 3rd eye,without seeing your images,i'll say you've got an 'accessory' box for special sewing machine attachments.
these were once very popular things for those who sew,for they were made to exactly fit the width of sewing machine cabinet drawers of the period.
singer sewing machines especially.

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 20, 2009, 10:33:33 PM

Ya know Fancy, that was my first reaction too, that it was a sewing accessories "puzzle box", but Coconut said it "folds all the way flat". I think the jury is out until we see a photo! ;D

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: fancypants on August 20, 2009, 10:47:29 PM

i don't think a six-sided box with 4 hinges folds completely flat..want to see what the 4th hinge does.
maybe has fabric for some hinges,though.

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: coconut on August 20, 2009, 10:50:42 PM

Hey all, thanks for the responses and my apologies for no photos. Luckily I found out earlier this evening what it was. I looked up the patent on it.

I am going through all of my antiques or things I believe to be in a few days or so and if I have any confusions or questions I'll be sure to post WITH photos for you.

Thanks again.

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 20, 2009, 10:51:42 PM

Enlighten us! What was it?

Six sides to me would be four sides plus a top and a  bottom. Four hinges so each of the four sides fold flat, and then the top comes off. Am I not visualizing this right?

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: fancypants on August 20, 2009, 10:53:45 PM

same question here.
talesof beat me 2 it.

Title: Re: Need Help on this Antique - wooden box that unfolds to flat
Post by: talesofthesevenseas on August 20, 2009, 10:54:48 PM

LOL I went back and added a couple a' lines too!