What is it?

[jtw1313]

.......

 

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[H-D 1]

Butter croc

 

[Terry Soloman]

Cigarette Box

 

[jtw1313]

See the graded part under lid

 

[duggap]

Maybe it was to hold old long stem matches and the inside is the stricker?

 

[bradyboy]

cool item but the crude imperfect construction might suggest its a one off
having said that, the art on the cover is great
need better close up pics of the art and the imprint method
IMO
Brady

 

[Crappies-n-Coins]

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Postal_currency

Scroll down halfway. Not an answer, but a start.

 

[jtw1313]

Closer pics

.......

 

[jtw1313]

Take a guess on the age

 

[DCMatt]

It is a postage stamp box.

DCMatt

 

[DCMatt]

 

[nhbenz]

Matt I'd tried to find such a thing, and seldom disagree with you, do you have a link?
It seems like the bottom of that cover has to be for striking matches.
The folks here seem to agree, but don't offer much information: International Match Safe Association and Museum - Established to promote the preservation, education and study of match safes

JTW, you should send them pictures, as it seems they don't have any of your exact box
http://www.matchsafe.org/Museum/StandAlone_Index.aspx
Maybe they'll figure out the origins of these and let you know... So don't sell it too soon

 

[nhbenz]

If this link doesn't open to the right place then see items 15721-15725 where they have a little (speculated) info, and they feel these date to the 1870's: https://books.google.com/books?id=I...jAH#v=onepage&q=fractional match safe&f=false

 

[DCMatt]

Ben - Looks like you are correct. Match box or safe.

For the record, here is a picture of a Victorian era stampbox:


They often, but not always, have smaller 'stamp sized' compartments inside.

Good catch.

DCMatt

 

[jtw1313]

I will see if I can get a response from a email

 

[jtw1313]

Well I emailed and that guy is a idiot so that will be no help lol

 

[mrs.oroblanco]

https://www.etsy.com/listing/154006183/very-nice-and-rare-1863-third-issue-50?ref=market

Might be a holder for fractional currency.