Dispatch case of Major John Hubley; walnut construction.
On top, inlay shell in an oval with green background, all within an 2 fine-line band border. Metal outlined key on front center. 2 movable metal handles, one on each end. Entire wood panel in lid folds out to reveal a mirror secured by a swivel tab. A metal ring for pulling panel down/ Circular inlay designs on green background in center of closed lid portion. Intricate spiral adorn edges of all 8 sections and green felt-lined tray. 2 narrow divisions hold slide-in tops with metal pull rings fit into compartment. Portion that holds 2 small drawers can be lifted out to reveal .5" storage area. The entire lower portion can be lifted out. Bottom covered with black felt.
Green floral rim features several Mount Joy buildings (in order, clockwise from bottom left: "Old Fire House," "Red Lion Hotel," "first industry - 1829," "Cedar Hill Female Seminary- 1839, " "Old Post Office." Bottom of rim reads, "A Voyage through the century." Center reads "Mount Joy Centennial / May 26 - May 30 / 1851 - 1951 / Good Ship Mount Joy" around an image of a many-sailed ship crossing an ocean.
Back readsThis plate commemorates the incorporation / of the borough of Mount Joy in 1851. It is re- / produced on the 100th anniversary in 1951. / Prior to 1851, six small villages were in / existence, Mountjoy (Rohrerstown), Richland, / Mountjoy Continued (Wallickstown), Mountjoy Extended, Richland and Mountjoy Connected, and Richland Extension, / The name of Mount Joy was the name of a seventeenth century Irish Ship."
Pennsylvania Coat of Arms once hung over the judge's bench at the old Lancaster county courthouse (1786-1853). Lancaster served as the capitol of of the Commonwealth of PA from 1799 to 1812. Made of oak,