Paper covered domed lid wooden box. Sheet iron hinges and latch, leather lashes. Interior covered in both English and German language newspapers of Lancaster County
Voting box, nailed butt joint construction, pine, original varnish finish, in gold lettering, "Post 118 / GAR / Swamp Angel" Box fitted with bracket to hold miniature wooden cannon barrel with original gold paint decoration, Canon swivels on bracket and has an extension that acts as a stopper for the hole where balls are placed into drawer to vote.
Match stick dome top jewelry chest made by inmates of Lancaster County Prison, purportedly in the1950's, for Helen, the wife of guard Harry J. Shaub (1899-1980).
Constructed of 1/4" plywood, with some solid wood & cardboard. Exterior covered with a layer of matchsticks glued on in geometrical patterns similar to marquetry. Dark brown-stained matchsticks create a diamond on the hinged lift lid and all four sides. Inside top diamond is "HELEN" with letters conforming to diamond shape.
Glued-up matchstick form a handle at lid front as well as 3/4-length drawer front below. Built out at base with matchsticks to create a skirting as well as 4 protruding feet. Interiors of both the drawer and th top compartment under lid have padded upholstery done with a yellow satin-woven fabric.
Provenance
Harry J. Shaub was a Lancaster Co. Prison Guard according to City Directories through 1950. The 1952 Directory, and henceforth, lists him as a maintenance man or mechanic (at the US Naval Base Bainbridge, Md). Thus, this chest would NOT have been made later than c. 1950, perhaps as a departing gift for Harry's wife Helen.
Repairs needed. Overall soil, especially interior upholstery; fabric torn at left front on top compartment; broken retaining ribbon; missing cover on underside of lid. Missing matchstick base and rear proper right foot.
"The letter here printed for the first time was written by Dr. Rush to his mother-in-law, Mrs. Richard Stockton, of Princeton, New Jersey."--Pref., signed: L.H. Butterfield.
