Description

Here is a great example of the kit used by scores of civilian and military artisans to mark crates, barrels, wagons, wagon covers, signs of all types, etc. & etc. I was very fortunate some years ago when I had the opportunity to go through the basement of a nearby Victorian home, the family of which had owned a hardware store and sign painting shop that dated back to the 1860s. In it I found and purchased several boxes of period items and supplies that dated back to the advent of the business. (I actually discovered the front posts of the original shop which we have incorporated in the restoration of the Summer Kitchen porch here at the Tallman Homestead. c.1857) The box includes two separate sets of 1″ letters with only slightly detectable difference in font. (actually close enough to interchange or make small free hand adjustment to match perfectly) A very nice slide top box with commercial production machine cut dovetail corners and beveled edge lid with stencil reading “Stencil Outfit” in classic period curved style and standard Civil War era period placed at the end of the title.  The interlocking brass tiles are in excellent condition and were well maintained – one set has some which were tossed back in in a hurry and never cleaned. Remnants of red and black paint is still seen on them with obvious marks from the brush that was used to do the stenciling. I have examined several examples of this set which were unused that, depending on the font, were manufactured without certain letters such as the “F”, “Q” and “P” as the “E”, “O”, and “R” were used to make these letters. There is no “F” or “Q” present in this set. Likewise there is also no “X” or “Z”. While I have seen other sets sans letters which were simply not used often such as the “Z” but I do not know if they are missing or just discarded/lost. (most still have an “X” so it is likely lost and maybe why there were two sets in the box) This set has no numbers save two zeros but includes two periods, a dollar sign and a cents sign. (in price signing the double zero was most often a smaller size. A larger font was most often employed with numbers in pricing and otherwise) The second set has a pressed edge which interlocks them together more firmly and was probably a higher grade product. (I have seen this likely more expensive feature on CW dated sets as well as later) The second set has no “P” – probably misplaced since it is otherwise complete. Still the “R” can be used to make the ‘P”. This set also includes numbers 0-9 an ampersand, three periods and two end tabs. This set is excellent for display and also completely serviceable for use. The box has wonderful patina and a great look with plenty of character. Excited to be able to offer this historic and serviceable set.