Incredibly rare item from my favorite Civil War diesinker, Joseph H. Merriam
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(1857) Cardboard box from the shop of Joseph H. Merriam, Steel & Stencil Letter Cutter, 18 Brattle Sq. Boston
Recently won in a Stacks auction: This little box means a great deal to me! It once sat in the shop of renowned Civil War diesinker, Joseph Merriam. The size of a matchbook, it would have been used to sell ink or sealing wax, though the thought of one of his prized medals being packaged like this intrigues me.
In the box was a little folded sheet of paper with instructions for Merriam's Premium Indelible Ink:
Amazing that this little cardboard box from 160 years ago still exists.
I've dated this to 1857. That is the year Joseph Merriam moved from Fanuiel Hall to his permanent business address at 18 Brattle Sq, and you can see on the box a small piece of paper glued over his former address to reflect the change.
I've amassed a very large collection of Merriam's tokens and medals for a book I'm writing. It is always nice to add related items to round out the history.
Thanks for looking!
Dead Cat Waltz Exonumia
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Comments
That is very cool!
Neat however would have expected a wooden box for that time period as cardboard was more common in Europe then.
That is really neat!
@DCW ... you find the coolest "stuff" nice !!!
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@DCW That is outstanding! I am looking forward to the book.
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That box speaks volumes. Nice pickup. Peace Roy
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That's pretty neat.
I got a chuckle out of the washing instructions for the 'indelible' ink.
By washing in hot water it's even MORE indelible !
That is cool!
Those instructions are great.
Nowadays you would have more warnings then instructions to prevent (hopefully) a lawsuit.
Amazing pick-up, Dennis! Also looking forward to the book.
Nice bit of history there... and remarkably well preserved. There must be a backstory to establish why and how it has survived. Perhaps in great grandma's trunk in the attic?? Cheers, RickO
Please turn the page for us @DCW
that's in good shape to and fun, I like
Wonderfully cool!
Here's a warning parable for coin collectors...