Check out the cool birthday gift I received from Alan! It arrived yesterday, and even though I don't celebrate my birthday until the 7th, he let me open the box early. What a fella! *grin* This is an old traveling paint salesman's sample storage box. It has hinges in the center so it folds up like a brief case, with a nice brass handle up top for carrying. There is a label on the bottom "Miller Brothers Tunnelton W. Va ACME Quality Paint Enamel Stains Varnishes.
Open, it measures about 2.5' x 5', and the compartments are about 3.5" deep. I have it sitting on top of my hosier cabinet.
There are little hand written labels slipped in at the top of each of the compartments. It would seem that the case had been re-purposed by it's previous owner as a display case of sorts, as the names all reference various cities. The compartments are currently configured as 2x2, but the great thing is that they're changeable!
The little dividers slide out with ease, allowing the compartments to be made as little as 1"x2", or 2" x as tall as necessary. The dividers slide into the case at a very slight angle to keep things from rolling out.
Wow.... I think it's just so neat!! Thank you, Alan ... I LOVE it!!
What would YOU store in such a display!?
Wow, I just found your blog and this horrible thing. I am so glad no one died. This was like a fire we had here in Cudahy Wi at Patrick Cudahy, Im glad you all are ok. Prayers of thanks for you.
Posted by: Helen Dooley | October 23, 2011 at 03:22 PM
Oh my, what a wonderful gift. I can't think what I'd put in it - my thimble collection? That's so neat that each little compartment is customisable for height, I wish bookshelves came like that! The fact that it was originally paint makes me think that little pots of Twinkling H2Os would look good in it ;-).
Way to go Alan - and for letting you open it early.
Posted by: Sabrina | October 05, 2011 at 11:16 AM
Thanks Shellie! for the vote of confidence on my thoughts on the way cool carrying case for fishing flys......Some folks have said "the way to a mans heart is through his stomach" ....not true for a fly guy with an overstuffed rolltop desk.... Fly boxes are a fly casters best friend. That Monroe lady said it was diamonds for girls. Me, not so much. However Anna's birthday is really close so a bigger rock could be a better choice. I see one right now shining brightly in the driveway, I better hurry and snap it up!........Love, Dad
Posted by: DK Wight | October 05, 2011 at 10:25 AM
Happy Birthday!! What a great find (the box and Alan). I can't think what to put in it. I just like looking at it! Maybe embellishments, in color order of course, ROYGBV. Or a collection of smalls, like hat pins, old jewelry, small advertisement pieces. I seem to collect some of these things that inspire me or make me smile and have nowhere to put them.
Posted by: Brenda Buschmann | October 05, 2011 at 07:41 AM
What a great gift!!!! I would put baby food jars filled with all my embellishments....brads...eyelets...jewels...buttons...etc!
Posted by: Conne | October 05, 2011 at 07:37 AM
Whoa! What a cool birthday gift! Your man is a keeper! I think I said that last year when he gave you some baby chicks! :) will you show us how you put that gorgeous sorter to work? :) Kathy
Posted by: Kathy Martin | October 05, 2011 at 04:54 AM
I would put my Wades in there, they would look perfect!! Most people know of Wades as the little figurine that comes in tea boxes but it started way before they were put into tea. NICE FIND!!!
Posted by: Kim | October 05, 2011 at 03:19 AM
WOW, THAT IS THE NEATEST GIFT EVER!!! I'M SO TICKLED THAT ALAN WAS ABLE TO FIND SOMETHING SO UNIQUE AND AWESOME!
I'M NOT SURE WHAT I WOULD STORE IN IT, BUT SOMETHING WILL FIT PERFECTLY AND FEEL RIGHT TO YOU. I CAN'T WAIT TO SEE WHAT YOU DECIDE ON! BEAUTIFUL GIFT, ALAN. YOU ROCK!!! ANNA IS LUCKY TO HAVE YOU, AS YOU ARE TO HAVE HER!! :D
Posted by: diane mcvey | October 04, 2011 at 09:23 PM
Honestly, my mind is in awe of the coolness of this gift that I can't even register with my brain what I'd do with it. I LOVE antiques, and just the labels alone and pulling out the little dividers would keep me occupied for days! Can't wait to see what you do with it! Lord have mercy, you struck GOLD when you got Alan!
Posted by: Sherri D. | October 04, 2011 at 05:55 PM
Wow--that is SO COOL! I would put my wooden stamps in it--every one of 'em that would fit!
Posted by: Renee M. | October 04, 2011 at 04:08 PM
First thing that came to my mind was ink pads, but it would be great for wood stamps or embellishments, too. With the removeable shelves you can repurpose it for unlimited amounts of items. :D Good job shopping, Alan! I am impressed.
Posted by: Janet Sisk | October 04, 2011 at 02:35 PM
Such a fun, vintage storage case! I love the ability to close it and the carrying handle!
I would store my self-adhesive pearls, rhinestones, large brads, etc., on the cardboard they come packaged with (stand them up leaning against one of the sides). OR, I would coil ribbon into rolls and lay them in the boxes. (I don't want my ribbon on a wooden spindle because I want to transport the whole roll around with me.) OR, would it work as a button compartment?
We now know, from your dad's comment, that it would be ideal for holding flies. :)
Happy birthday to you!
Posted by: Shellie Daniel | October 04, 2011 at 12:49 PM
My thinker is caput... Srangely I can't think of anything right off to put in it!!!! I am sure if it was sitting here I would find all matter of things that fit in it. Maybe some collectables. Have fun filling it :) Alan is a sweetie. Hugs...
Posted by: Carol Dee | October 04, 2011 at 12:25 PM
This reminds me of some sort of sorter from the post office, the photo w/the names Carroll & Sioux City are names from Iowa. I use to live in Sioux City and Carroll isn't to far from there either. Great find and I'm sure you'll think of something to use that for.
Jannette
Posted by: Jannette D. | October 04, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Well, my first thought was that this is the perfect fly storage box. fly tyers are always looking for a better storage box for flys at home. One can only carry just so many in your fly vest and the rest have to be kept somewhere.... right? Ergo, fly storage box near the tying bench. Thanks Alan!
Posted by: DK Wight | October 04, 2011 at 10:17 AM
That is so wonderful! I would hang it on the wall and store my favorite stamps? of course the smaller ones.... Great thoughtful gift!
Posted by: Michelle Oatman | October 04, 2011 at 09:22 AM
Oh MY Gosh, that's beautiful! I can't wait to see what you put in it! Thanks Alan!!
Posted by: Dee in N.H. | October 04, 2011 at 08:10 AM
Oh neat! That looks like a good depth to store markers, ,cutting knives and ink pads!
Posted by: Barbara | October 04, 2011 at 07:29 AM