A collection of nine brass-studded leather trunks and boxes Various makers from Philadelphia, PA, and Boston, MA, early 19th century

Overall comprising eight leather boxes and one hide covered box, most retaining original block-printed and marbled paper or ticking fabric, and original labels, to interior: one box with studded monogram to lid, "RCB," with label, "By Thomas Moyer, No. 26, Market Street, Philadelphia," a box with label, "W.S. Hansell, No. 24, Southside of Market street, near Front street, Philadelphia," one box with label, "Andrew Riley, No. 19, Hanover Street, Boston," one box with label, "Robert Burr, Trunk Manufacturer, No. 9 Hanover Street (Nearly opposite the Shawmut House, Boston.)," one box with label, "E.A.G. Roulstone, Successor to Robert Burr...9 Hanover St...Boston.," one box with label, "Thomas Moyer, No. 38 Market Street, Philadelphia," one box with brass plaque to lid engraved, "Boston Copper Co." and with label, "George Domett...6 Dock Square, Boston.," and bearing inscription to underside, "Boston & Braintree Copper & Brass Manufactory, Boston," one box with no label but bearing pencil inscriptions to interior of lid, "Ebenezer C. Andrews/ Otisfield Maine/ July 10th 1847/ Bought of Moses D. Andrews/ Five years ago/ M.D. Andrews Esq/ Otisfield Maine/ Robert And [in ink] Robert Andrews," and one box with no label.

H: 11 in. W: 24 in. D: 14 in. (largest)

Note

This collection of boxes represents the thriving leather working industry that was well-represented in large cities in the Northeast, such as Philadelphia and Boston. Thomas Moyer founded his company in 1811 in Philadelphia, which was subsequently managed by family members including his brother Edward Moyer. Thomas and his competitors produced various products including saddles, bridles, whips, harnesses, trunks, caps, and collars. In Boston, Robert Burr is listed as manufacturing "trunks, valisses, carpet bags, &c."

The inscribed names on the trunk bearing no label refer to three brothers from Otisfield, Maine, Ebenezer Cleaves Andrews (1825-1882), Moses Dexter Andrews (1822-1846), and Robert Andrews (b. 1817), born to Samuel Andrews (1771-1839, born Wiscasset, Maine) and his first and second wives, Eunice Frost (b. 1779) and Lucy Cleaves (b. 1779).

Provenance

W.S. Hansell box: Pook & Pook, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, March 25 and 26, 2010, lot 943

Andrew Riley box: Pook & Pook, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, April 23 and 24, 2010, lot 339

Thomas Moyer (No. 38) box: Pook & Pook, Downingtown, Pennsylvania, March 25 and 26, 2010, lot 721

George Domett box: Crocker Farm, Inc., Sparks, Maryland, December 3, 2011, lot 28

Property of a Philadelphia collector.