CELLO WRAPPED LIQUOR DEALER MATCH SAFE WITH REBUS TEXT & TRICK MECHANISM.
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Winning Bid:
$278.30 (Includes 15% Buyer's Premium)
Bids:
3
Bidding Ended:
Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:00:00 AM (20 Minute Clock Begins At Wednesday, November 14, 2012 1:00:00 AM)
Time Left:
Ended
Auction:
Auction #207 - Part I
Item numbers 1 through 1234 in auction 207
Value Code:
H - $200 to $400 Help Icon
Item Description
Early 1900s 2.75" tall silvered brass match safe by Meek with celluloid around the sides. Front pictures beautiful young women while reverse has the text in rebus style. It reads "Compliments of (Hen)ry (Fish)er/Wines And Liquors 1232-34 Franklin Avenue" plus a pair of four digit telephone numbers. Celluloid has light even tanning on the sides and the text area but no spotting and still with full color and gloss. Normally the top lid would flip open to reveal matches. In this case when the top lid is flipped open there is a second metal cover with a small celluloid strip reading "In Unable To Open, Call On Henry Fisher 1232-34 Franklin Ave." The trick to the piece is that the thin edges of the safe, about .25" down from the top, must be squeezed to allow this second cover to pop up and thus allowing access to the matches on the interior. In addition to having double rebus text this is the only safe we've seen with this type of trick mechanism. Rare. Exc.
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