Hey all, new here!

Hello everyone, I'm new here and was promoted to join by my interest in antiques of course. My in laws are very into it, and I've always just had an appreciation for it. Anyway, just wanted to start off with posting an old ice box that my parents have. I'm not looking for value, just wanting some info on it (manufacturer, date, etc.) Apparently it is from sometime in the 1800's. I appreciate any help!

 

Welcome!

 

You can put up to 10 photos per post.

 

Oh ok thank you. I'll keep that in mind for the future. Can you all see the two I posted?

 

Looks like there should be 3 but I see 2.

 

I see 2, although they're sideways. Sometimes pictures of the interior spaces are also helpful with old iceboxes.

I take it the "Hygienic" plaque is the only "label" of any kind?

 

I have one that's a close match to your's. Made early 1900's, they were still being used in rural areas through the mid 20th century.
I took this picture to use a wall paint app after I moved in, trying on different colors but you can see mine in the picture. I'm not home so I can't check the label but they were made by many companies.
Nice oak piece, they are fun to have.

 

Oh, lovely. I have a fatter gray cat who has taken up residence on my dining room table! I love your house.

 

Thank you Bev. It looks a bit different now, some stuff has been rearranged, and no....STILL not painted. I will have to wait until after the holidays.
Shelby is not supposed to be on the table but as soon as she heard the camera turn on she jumps up to watch for the laser focus light. My male cat could care less.

 

Coco is 10. We got her last Christmas at the shelter. She's been on a diet, but hasn't lost weight. She never got on the furniture before, but when the 9 month old border collie arrived, he decided she'd make a great play companion. I guess he was friends with a younger cat at his last home. The table is the only place she can avoid him. I've tried keeping her off, but it's been impossible so I've given up. We don't eat in the dining room except for major holidays, so she isn't bothering us. She likes boxes, too.

 

It's in a real tight space so I didn't really take the time tonight to dig into any other label locations. It was given to my mother in the 70's by her great great uncle who claimed it was 125 years old already at that time. Calico it is very similar in design to yours. Main difference is that the hinges on mine are very ornate, which leads me to think maybe it's a good bit older. Just a guess there, I'm learning. Heck, ornate may not even be the word lol. Victorian looking I guess.

 

Could there maybe be a stamp underneath or on the back? At the time I didn't realize hygienic wasn't the name of it.

 

Awe Bev, she's a sweet calico tabby, I love calicos.

 

I am finding a few companies that sold Hygienic ice boxes. It may have been a trade name for self-branding. I have not been able to track down who actually made them. In general, it doesn't matter much who made them. I would date yours to about 1900 give or take. They were made pretty much the same way for a lot of years. Earlier ones tend to have raised panels. Middle period ones have flat panels like yours. By the 20s or so, they tended to be flat surface metal and painted white.

 

Thanks verybrad. I suppose I shouldn't base my estimated date off of some old timer's word, but its all I had to go on. Are there any websites to help date such a piece? I've looked pretty feverishly over the last couple days.

 

I did find this one on an auction page. It's sold, but the seller lists a manufacturer or original store as Fred Hofman

http://www.bargainjohn.com/product/small-oak-ice-box-hygienic/

 

Here's another that has a metal tag that says "Haverty's Hygienic" so maybe Hofman was just a store and the manufacturer is Haverty.

https://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/29355788_havertys-hygienic-3-door-ice-box

 

I forgot to welcome Ben to the Group, so 'Welcome Ben !'