Q & A

R.K. of St Louis, Saskatchewan writes:

I would appreciate any information you could tell me about a "BARGE RACE" box I have. The box was made by the Meriden B. Company and measures 11.25 X 8 inches and is 3 inches tall (appears to have once had "legs" at four bottom corners). There are two locking compartments and each have a screen facing the open middle section. There are initials and the date 1881 which makes me think it could be a trophy? For a boat race? Why the screened open section? I would be grateful for any ideas you might have!

We asked Kevin Colgan to respond:

This box is most unusual. It was made in Meriden, Connecticut circa 1880 by the Meriden Britannia Company who went on to become styled as the International Silver Company. The general style of the initials, the script of Barge Race and the plate mark, all confirm the date. Racing barges is an entertainment of limited general interest; perhaps the idea was to encourage those who worked barges on say the Erie canal to race? The purpose of the race , other than the fun of it, would be to increase the turn- around time of the barges.

In my view we have a cigar humidor here. Each group would put its stake in one of the locked compartments. The central compartment would perhaps contain a moistened sponge to keep the cigars cool and moist. The winners would take all. I imagine the bargees were a fairly rambunctious crew and gave the box a good work out when they got back to pick up their prize. Hence its rather battered exterior and lack of feet.