Possible Postage Stamp Holder (Pre-Civil War)

[hogge]

Have sent pics to several militaria collectors and the best assumption was a postage stamp holder. Box measures 1 3/8" square x 1/8" deep. ALL said it was Pre-Civil War. Too small to be a snuff or pill box. Still can't believe it came out of the ground in such great shape... fully intact and operable as you can see. Inside still has original brassy shine on eagle side with patina on inside of box. Guy from VA. said a friend of his dug one similar but box top was a slide instead of a flip top, probably to protect stamps from moisture. Looks to be manufactured so I'm sure some of these may be out there. Any ideas are helpful. THANKS Todd

 

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[DCMatt]

Hmmmm...

Maybe... But all the stamp boxes I've seen are like match safes - the end pops off and on to make a watertight seal. This one doesn't look very practical for keeping anything dry.

I'm wondering if it's a pocket photo frame or a hair locket.

Whatever it is, it's pretty neat!

DCMatt

 

[Pepper2004]

That is a neat find. I have no idea what it is but wish I would find one!

 

[Mackaydon]

Possible, sure. The 'window of opportunity' to be a pre-CW postage stamp container was 14 years; between the year of our first postage stamp (1847) and the beginning of the CW in 1861.

 

[RickyP]

A press of some type, maybe a wax seal