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Hubbard's Wire Sewed Folding Box

Currency:USD Category:Collectibles Start Price:25.00 USD Estimated At:100.00 - 150.00 USD
Hubbard's Wire Sewed Folding Box
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You are bidding on two unique folding wooden delivery boxes from c. 1930. These boxes were manufactured by the Hubbard Folding Box Co. in Menomonie WI for the Pioneer Mercantile Co. in Fort Benton, MT. Fort Benton is on the Missouri River and was the furthest point upriver that the steamboats could operate. It was therefore an important shipping hub in Montana. T.C. Power started his Pioneer Mercantile in Fort Benton in tents in 1867. In 1882 he constructed his first building; it burnt to the ground. In fact, the second building also burnt, so in 1916 he built a third to be nearly indestructible. The Mercantile continued to operate out of this building until it closed its doors in 1933. The building still stands today and is operated as the Pioneer Lodge. These boxes were manufactured by the Puffer-Hubbard Co. in Minneapolis (later Menomonie, WI) starting in the early 1900's. The unique design of the box allows easy stacking for shipping when loaded with goods; once delivered and emptied, they could simply be folded down until needed again. Each box measures 17" x 14" and are 12" tall. Folded, they measure 14.5" x 31".