Shipping Crate

[LibertyHallVols]

I have a question on the crate in these pictures:


In the photo above, the crate appears to be marked:
"Geo W. Graham Co."
"Crawfordsville Ind."



Markings on the above photograph are a bit harder to read. However, "Indianapolis Ind" is readable toward the bottom.

The crate measures about 4.5' high X 6' long X 3' wide. It came out of the basement of a 1832-dated home my parents restored in Crawfordsville, Indiana in the early 1970's. My dad moved it from there to the hay loft of the barn, where it has been ever since.

It appears to be a shipping crate based on the markings. However, I was wondering if anyone had any ideas about the age of it based on construction, markings, etc.

[crabby]

Re: Shipping Crate

John,

Just looking at the small, round headed type nails I would say it is 20th century (when ?).


Crabby

[LibertyHallVols]

Re: Shipping Crate

John,

Just looking at the small, round headed type nails I would say it is 20th century (when ?).

Thanks, John! I shoulda noticed that!!
As to when it could have been made, I have no idea. Probably anytime in the first half of the 20th Century, if the nails date it to after 1900. At the time it was moved out of the basement (1972-3), it already had some "age" to it. So, I doubt it would have been anytime in the 1960's.

I was curious of the age as "trash" from all time periods turned up during the restoration. A number of items in an old well included turn-of-the-century medicine bottles and a J. Hostetter's Stomach Bitters bottle (same as seen in the Arabia museum) was found somewhere in the house, with part of the paper label in tact.

Thanks, again!

[markj]

Re: Shipping Crate

Hi John,

Just to piggy-back on what others are saying, if the nails are of the wire variety then the source I've consulted indicates they first appeared in 1910. I've seen other 20th Century boxes with similar brushed inscriptions in local antique shops, so the box could easily date to as late as the 1930's.

The obvious thing to do is determine when the "George W. Graham Company" operated in Crawfordsville. You could likely do this by either contacting the Montgomery County Historical Society or look through Crawfordsville business directories and/or newspapers for, say, the period between 1900-1925.

Maybe Scott Busenbark could help you on this score since he lives in C'ville.

Regards,

Mark Jaeger

[boozie]

Re: Shipping Crate

Wick,

George W. Graham born 1857 in Piedmont, Va. Started a dry goods store with his father-in-law David F. McClure in the 1890's. The father-in-law got out and G.W. Graham Co. was started Jan. 1, 1908 and turned in to a large dept. store.

If you want more on Mr. Graham go to the Bio. section at:

https://www.ibssg.org/montgomery/

[Stephen Shepherd]

Re: Shipping Crate

The crate could be made from another shipping crate with french wire nails, introduced in 1877. Prior to that date cut nails were common and continued to be used until the 20th century.

Are there any tool marks, hand planing marks, saw marks (circular or straight up down)? Other nail holes?

Stephen Shepherd
Cabinet Box Mess