Whatzit - July 2024

[Handy Don 12,204]

This box was a “Here take this -- please, You can fix it up and find a use for it!” from a friend.

I have no idea at all about its original purpose. Anyone here recognize it?

The lid opens and the sides fold out. There is a photo tripod style threaded socket in the bottom.

 

Edited July 31 by Handy Don

[ebinmaine 67,397]

I don't know what that is or what it was ever for but it's awesome...

 

 

@Ed Kennell @formariz

[Ed Kennell 38,113]

Camera case jumps out at me.

[Ed Kennell 38,113]

            ?    

[lynnmor 7,303]

I'm thinking a case for the supplies that photographers used for the wet plate process.

[Pullstart 62,831]

It’s a pickanicka BooBoo

 

 

Edited July 31 by Pullstart
Photo

[953 nut 55,161]

1 hour ago, Handy Don said:

There is a photo tripod style threaded socket in the bottom

Much too clean to have had an industrial application.  The holes on the left do not look large enough for camera lenses     Not sure what the the smaller ones on the right could hold.

Whatever4 it was used for it doesn't appear to have been used very much, looks great.              

[SylvanLakeWH 25,525]

I'm guessing artist caddy. Holes for paints brushes etc. and slots for holding new and finished canvass...?

[Handy Don 12,204]

@formariz, in a pm, suggested it held plates and chemicals for a plate camera or for copper plate etching. 

I’m leaning that way. Bigger holes for little jars of chemical smaller holes for some sort of tool or swabs.

 

[elcamino/wheelhorse 9,297]

@squonk could use something like that for all the chemicals he has to use for toe fungus and to help with his green skin when he is out among normal people. It is National mess with Squonk Day !

[Handy Don 12,204]

17 minutes ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I'm guessing artist caddy. Holes for paints brushes etc. and slots for holding new and finished canvass...?

Slots are too small for canvases on wood frames, but for small heavy paper panels used for pastel or acrylic I could see it. The larger holes would be paint holders. No provision for a palette or a way to hold the in-progress work (like an easel), though, so maybe this is an adjunct to some other equipment the artist/photographer/etcher would carry--the portable taboret? 

[Handy Don 12,204]

 

Anyway, @formariz in interested in restoring it so I’ll be posting it off to him!

 

[953 nut 55,161]

4 hours ago, SylvanLakeWH said:

I'm guessing artist caddy. Holes for paints brushes etc. and slots for holding new and finished canvass...?

Artists tend to be a bit soppy with their paint, that would be a mess if they had used it.

[Handy Don 12,204]

13 hours ago, 953 nut said:

Artists tend to be a bit soppy with their paint, that would be a mess if they had used it.

So true!

The condition of the inside of this box makes me think it was strictly for transporting stuff and, perhaps, never even got used.

Also got to thinking that it must date from the 1940’s or 50’s, and no later than the 60’s since by then equipment cases started using more plastic. So this was for some activity and technology of that era.

[Rick3478 428]

I'll guess maybe a surveyor's box that a compass or theodolite would sit in, with storage for various lenses, apertures, and accessories.  Shot in the dark, not my area of expertise.