Thread Box
This is the sort of box commonly used in
stores which sold spools of thread during
the nineteenth century.
This particular box was left by former
owners in a ranch house (the Taft house)
we moved into when I was about two years
old (1915). It was used by me to keep
small toys. The ranch was located at
Indian Prairie, near Spokane, Washington.
A penciled note on the back of the lower
drawer reads: Save this box for Mrs.
Taft if empty any time in 11/17/1891.
I removed the old finish, made a new front
for the lower drawer of red oak, turned
and painted wooden knobs for the lower
drawer to match the original black Bakelite
knobs on the upper drawer, and applied
clear finish.
The box has been used by my wife, Bea,
as a jewelry box.