Bidspirit auction | Baum's Horse & Stock Food

Baum's Horse & Stock Food Antique Advertising Wooden Crate - This is a rectangular wooden shipping crate and retail display box for Baum's Horse & Stock Food. The container is constructed of natural wood panels with multicolored paper lithograph labels applied to all four exterior sides, the exterior of the lid, and the interior of the lid. The labels feature Victorian-era typography and graphic illustrations of a horse's head on the front and lid, and a cow's head on the side panels. Several lithographed medals are depicted on the front and lid, including one reading Industrial Exhibition. The company name is prominently displayed on all sides as Baum's Horse & Stock Food. A printed label on the front, sides, and lid reads 10 Pounds Full Weight. The manufacturer is identified via a printed circular logo on the front and side labels reading Baum's Castorine Co. Syracuse, N.Y. U.S.A. The lid exterior features printed instructions: Lift the fasteners at each end with a screw driver, cut label under the edge of cover. The underside of the lid contains a large yellow paper label with detailed feeding directions for horses, milch cows, fattening beef cattle, swine, sheep and lambs, calves, and poultry. It references the use of a tin measure originally included in the box and describes the product as a conditioner, blood purifier, and tonic for various ailments such as hog cholera and epizootic. The lid is attached with two wire hinges. Length: Approximately 11.5 inches (image 8). Width: Approximately 9.5 inches (image 9). Height: Approximately 5.5 inches (image 10). The crate shows significant wear and paper loss consistent with its age and utilitarian history. There is extensive loss to the paper labels along the bottom edges and corners of all exterior sides (photos 1, 2, and 4). The wood shows splintering and surface abrasions, particularly along the top edges of the box and the lid (photo 5). There are visible oxidation stains and darkening of the wood around the original nail heads (photo 2). The exterior paper labels exhibit scuffing, staining, and overall toning/darkening (photo 1). The interior paper label is largely intact but shows minor foxing and air bubbling under the surface (photo 6). The wire hinges are present but the surrounding wood is worn (photo 7).