I often covet 19th c. wallpaper covered "band" boxes, but rarely am willing to pay the price for them. But this one, found at a lovely old-school single owner antique shop in MA that deals in early American antiques, just completely won me--for the minimalism of its navy on cream hand-printed (hand-painted?) polka dots; its very early--1817-18! newspaper lining; and the hand-stitched thread mending all around the rim. Like the tiny hand-beaded needlebook I've also listed today, I'm always amazed things like this have survived--just cardboard and paper construction--and, really, that they were made at all, with so much care. And the newspaper lining the lid, entire interior, and underside, too, is wonderful and wonderfully informative, detailing the forthcoming dispatch of various ships loaded with cargo and bound for New York, Rotterdam, etc.; the availability of duck, candles, soap, corn, and flour and various locations in Boston; stock prices; the creation of a new copy of the Declaration of Independence, etc. etc. A lovely and special feeling thing.
10 1/8" d x 10 3/4" tall and in very good condition for being more than 200 years old. General wear, stains and toning--revealed especially when one removes the lid to see the original color of the paper—but it has held its shape quite well, the lid fits tightly, and there is very little paper loss inside or out. With hand-stitched mending all around the rim of the lid, lovingly done and very much to the good I think. Quite sound and stable.
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