This box belonged to a sign painter from Lake City Florida who passed away in 1984 and was left to an old customer of mine, Scott, who told me that he (the painter) was one of his first patients and when he died the box and its contents were left to Scott in the Will. Scott called me one day about eight years ago or so and asked if I wanted it. He was cleaning out his garage and was about to toss it and thought of me. I went thru the box, cleaned the many brushes which were not dry rot and shelved it. I'm no sign painter and I wondered how someone could work out of such a small box... jump forward to last month.. I digging thru storage and dig out the old sign box.. decide that now that I stripe for a living I might get some use out of it so I spend a few hours cleaning and proceed to load it with my brushes and paint. Many of his old brushes are still in there along with some other items, pieces of string, charcoal, an old box of straight edge razors, ink pen tips and more. I've since lost contact with Scott but I know I have his number on an old computer. I'm going to find out the old painters name and letter it somewhere either in out on the out side of the box as a dedication to the sign painter who passed...His old box and tools of the trade live on and maybe his spirit will guide my hands..?? I can't believe how much this box holds! I love working out of it.
pj
[ December 07, 2008, 12:41 AM: Message edited by: John Fiorentino ]
Posted by Bruce Bowers (Member # 892) on :
Those boxes were very popular. I have one buried around somewhere...
Nice to see you putting it to use.
Posted by Craig Sjoquist (Member # 4684) on :
yes very nice find .. looks good inside there still hand lettering here ... and yes they do hold alot
wonders if new ones are still available
Posted by Stephen Deveau (Member # 1305) on :
Can I make a suggestion
Take all the hinges and clasps and gold leaf or silver or copper plate them.
Posted by Dale Feicke (Member # 767) on :
Good looking box, John....a tremendous find.
Posted by Rick Sacks (Member # 379) on :
I once had one just like that. I drove my '55 truck to a southern California mall in 1970 to deliver a sign and upon returning my kit and two new pair of blue jeans were missing.
Never replaced the kit with a box that worked as well, but I did get more jeans.
Wear it well, it's a good kit with a history.
Posted by Neil D. Butler (Member # 661) on :
That is cool.. it reminds me of an old doctors Kit, when they used to make house calls... remeber when they did that? Is it leather bound?
Posted by Bobbie Rochow (Member # 3341) on :
John that is so cool! Yes, i would dig & find out the painter's name too. What a wonderful gift for you.
A couple of months ago, my grama's neighbor told me she was selling all of her husband's tools in the garage. Her friend took me out there to see them, & here, there were 3 machinists's boxes!!!! 2 big ones, & one smaller. JOn bought me anew one from Harbor Freight for my brushes a few years ago, but it weighs a ton.
I chose the smallest one for storing my gold leaf supplies in. It is a Gerstner, with nickle plated hinges & corners & the brass key even works! It is missing ahandle on top, but I found them online for $50. I think this box is worth over $150 for sure, but I bought it with my birthday money for $70.
When I put the gilded letters on it I will post it. Probably not til after Christmas tho.
John, that is an excellent idea to put the man's name on it somewhere, too. Maybe your own under it, & then whoever gets after you...
Posted by John Fiorentino (Member # 1592) on :
quote:Originally posted by Neil D. Butler: Is it leather bound?
It's some sort of coated fabric..
Posted by Anne McDonald (Member # 6842) on :
Oh that's so neat, how fantastic to have all that history beside you. Looking forward to seeing how you decorate it Posted by Len Mort (Member # 7030) on :
Would be a great tribute to place the late painters name on the sign kit.
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