What is this thing?

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Old chest (solved) (imgbox.com)

submitted 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I am restoring an old chest and while removing a cover under the lid I found this label. As you can see, it's completely undecipherable except for "***halle & co." However there's another label underneath it. I wonder if I can separate them by putting it in water (like stamps off an envelope), but I'm afraid of destroying it if it has any value whatsoever.

The chest is made of wood and metal, but it's in a horrible state. Hinges and screws have been replaced prior to my owning, and the wood is damaged. I plan on restoring it, but would like to know it's history. Judging by materials and the label, I recon this is from 1900-1940s and American.

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[–] [email protected] 8 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (2 children)

I found a Danish clothing company named J. Suurballe & Co. That existed around 1910.

You can see a picture here: https://arkiv.dk/vis/3582947

Another example: https://arkiv.dk/vis/3516231

Take a look also on page 85 on this PDF: https://silkeborgarkiv.dk/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/OCR-Viborg_Amt_Vejviser_1904-1906.pdf

It seems to be an ad for that company.

I hope this helps.

[–] [email protected] 5 points 2 years ago

Wow, I'm always impressed what kind of stuff the people in communities like this can dig up.
When I saw the photo earlier I thought there was no chance of finding anything out. After seeing your comment it seems very likely you found the answer. This is what I love about the internet.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago) (1 children)

Could very well be spot on. I'm in Denmark and bought this off DBA anyway. Thanks .While the chest is probably not of any historical value, I'm comforted by the fact that I'm not destroying anything by restoring it within my abilities. I'll sand it, paint and maybe add some bracing. The purpose is to make use of it, like everyone who owned this before.

[–] [email protected] 1 points 2 years ago (1 children)

I'm in Denmark

It sounds we have a match. :)

Make sure to refresh my post. I added a third link and if you understand Danish it may help.

[–] [email protected] 2 points 2 years ago* (last edited 2 years ago)

I think so. I'm in Hobro, so it makes sense that it'd end up here.

Anyway, I've gained some knowledge about it and appreciate it. I still intend to restore and use it, instead of tossing it.

The Suurballe family seems to be very influential even today. The "manufacturer" part of their company name indicates that their products where made by hand instead of machines, but still on a industrial scale. Many things from this period are worth restoring in comparison to contemporary pricing. I wouldn't be able to buy a functional chest from anywhere without spending more than it'll take to restore this.