It was listed by Atropos Antiques. Sold pieces stay on Sellingantiques as a record of what has passed through, and the next one is rarely far away.
Atropos Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.
THESE BOXES WERE FAVOURED BY NATURAL HISTORIANS FOR THE STORAGE AND DISPLAY OF THEIR SPECIMENS AND COULD BE LINED ON SHELVES JUST AS A SERIES OF BOOKS WOULD BE. IT IS THOUGHT THAT IN EARLY DAYS THE STUDY OF ENTOMOLOGY WAS CONSIDERED ECCENTRIC AND THAT THESE CASES COULD DISGUISE THE PURSUIT OF THE COLLECTOR.
THEY ARE WELL MADE AND THE WOODEN CASE IS CLAD IN A SHAGREEN-LIKE FABRIC COATING IN A SUBTLE GREEN. THE BOX OPENS REVEALING TWO AREAS, BASE AND TOP WHICH ARE LINED WITH CORK TO RECEIVE PINS AND THEN PAPERED THROUGHOUT. THESE ARE IN ORIGINAL CONDITION AND HAVE VERY MUCH 'THE LOOK'! THESE BOXES WERE SUPPLIED BY MOST OF THE FAMOUS DEALERS, WATKINS AND DONCASTER, JANSEN, CROCKETT et al.
THESE CASES ARE IN LIMITED NUMBERS NOW AND WILL LEND THEMSELVES TO MANY COLLECTING AND DISPLAY PURPOSES. IN ADDITION, AS PERIOD 'DECORATOR' PIECES THEY ARE INVALUABLE.
AVERAGE SIZE, 13 INCHES BY 11 INCHES BY 3 AND THREE EIGHTHS INCHES.
INCIDENTALLY, OF PARTICULAR INTEREST TO ENTOMOLOGICAL HISTORIANS, ONE BOX IS LABELLED 'JAMES HOW SUCCESOR TO GEORGE KNIGHT AND SONS 2 FOSTER LANE LONDON.' THIS IS A VERY RARE LABEL AND LITTLE IS KNOWN OF THIS NATURAL HISTORY SUPPLIER.
Atropos Antiques has dated this piece to the 1880s.
You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Atropos Antiques Profile Page
4 Beautiful Victorian Entomologist Book Boxes. Circa 1880. Collectors Specimen Cabinets.
