{"product_id":"bentwood-hat-box-with-original-railway-shipping-labels-early-20th-century","title":"Bentwood Hat Box with Original Railway Shipping Labels — Early 20th Century","description":"\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eFrench Bentwood Hat Box with Original Railway Shipping Labels\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eA large oval antique French hat box (boîte à chapeau) with a wonderful patina and a documented travelling history written across its surface in original railway and shipping labels. Built using the bentwood (bois courbé) method, with a thin sheet of wood steamed and wrapped around an oval form, secured by a lapped, nailed side seam and fitted with a deep telescoping lid. The interior retains its original emerald-green paper lining and a worn leather tab catch. The broad, shallow oval form is characteristic of boxes made for women's brimmed hats — the wide-brimmed styles popular from the early 1900s through the 1930s, designed to protect the brim from crushing in transit.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe labels and stamps:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eThe markings are the heart of this piece. They are original French railway transport labels from the early decades of motorised rail freight:\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eA bold FRAGILE label in a bordered frame, dated 1935 in the top corner, with the PLM initials — the \u003cem\u003eChemin de fer de Paris à Lyon et à la Méditerranée\u003c\/em\u003e, one of France's great historic rail companies (absorbed into the SNCF in 1938).\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eA PARIS–IVRY destination label marked \u003cem\u003eGare destinataire\u003c\/em\u003e (receiving station) with P.O. — the \u003cem\u003eChemin de fer de Paris à Orléans\u003c\/em\u003e network. Ivry was a major Paris-area freight and goods station. (Note: this label is upside down on the box.)\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eA BERCY–DOMICILE label referencing \u003cem\u003ede Vichy\u003c\/em\u003e — Bercy being the famous Paris goods and warehouse district, with \"domicile\" indicating home delivery service.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5\u003eAdditional partial stencilled stamps and a painted reference number on the body.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eTogether these tell the story of a box that travelled the French rail network between Paris, Vichy and beyond, handled by at least two of the pre-SNCF private railway companies.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eDetails:\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eEstimated Origin: France\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003ePeriod: 1920s–1930s (active use), the box itself likely early 20th century or slightly earlier\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eMaterial: Bentwood with original emerald-green paper lining \u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eCondition: Honest, well-travelled condition consistent with age and use. The dark lid finish shows losses, crackling and wear. The body has scuffs, surface marks and label remnants. The green interior lining shows splitting, scratches and some loss. The leather catch is worn. Sold as a characterful decorative antique — please review all photos as part of the description.\u003c\/h5\u003e\n\u003ch5 class=\"font-claude-response-body break-words whitespace-normal\"\u003eApproximate Measurements: 24.4\" x 17.7\" x 12.2\" (62 x 45 x 31 cm)\u003c\/h5\u003e","brand":"Atelier Martire","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53159485931856,"sku":null,"price":370.0,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0866\/8135\/4576\/files\/IMG_5159.jpg?v=1781781916","url":"https:\/\/ateliermartire.com\/products\/bentwood-hat-box-with-original-railway-shipping-labels-early-20th-century","provider":"Atelier Martire ","version":"1.0","type":"link"}