Antique Boye Curtain Rod Fixtures General Store Mercantile Counter Display Complete With Spinner Advertising Post

Description

An absolutely amazing and likely one-of-a-kind COMPLETE antique James H. Boye Manufacturing Co. Boyemaco curtain rod fixtures general store & … more An absolutely amazing and likely one-of-a-kind COMPLETE antique James H. Boye Manufacturing Co. Boyemaco curtain rod fixtures general store & mercantile counter display cabinet box. This piece not olny includes the incredibly rare (can not find another with it) original double-sided spinning tin litho advert on the post urging cutomers to also ask to see Boyemaco closet poles, hat holders, shoe racks, and neck tie holders to "keep an orderly clothes closet", but ALSO even more incredibly includes all the original new old stock inside as well! And then lets talk about the box itself, which is a thing of beauty. Beautiful wood with intricate dovetail corners. Fabulous lettering & advertising on all four sides. Front side is lettered in gold, "Curved End Curtain Fixtures, No Sag, No Rust" with "James H. Boye Manufacturing Co. of Cal" underneath. Each side is labeled in gold and orange. Rear is also labeled with the name and address in Oakland California, plus listings of the parts inside. Scalloped metal curtain display rods stretch front to back at the top of each side. A weathered flat brass display rod crosses the front side, and there are sample brass attachment hooks on the lower front to demonstrate the rod pieces for sale within the box.

The top of the cabinet has the heavy metal Boye dial face that reads, "Boyemaco" in a gold box, and "Curtain Fixtures All Styles, High Grade Flat Curtain Fixtures, James H. Boye Mfg. Co. Makers" in the wide maroon band that encircles the cream colored face. The pointed metal center dial turns by hand to move the metal information panel beneath, allowing the proper information for each type of piece to appear in the windows of the face. There are window openings, each one with different info relating to the item the pointer is set on. The large window describes the part, lengths, and decorative effect. Medium window tells how many and which parts needed for the curtains. And the smallest shows the sellers price. The back edge has a labeled wooden back sign with art nouveau style graphics depicint a decorative curtain rod and "Ornamental Curtain Fixtures", with wonderful curved & etched metal side arms holding it securely. Please take a close look at all the pictures to see just how much more detail there is, and the intricacies of the cabinet.

The back side of the cabinet has a metal hook closure that unlocks to allow the entire top panel to glide open on a smooth heavy duty hinge with the inside and parts facing the merchant behind the counter. Upon opening, you find the original array of new old stock fixtures within. The bottom has cubbies for parts and pieces, and also holds the arms. There are attachment pieces in paper envelopes labeled with their item numbers (corresponding to the lid dial), part name, graphics, and instructions. There are hundreds of pieces- little envelopes labeled nails & screws, packages of wire, various hardware pieces- all seemingly almost untouched. Although it was all likely stocked over & over again as the whole cabinet shows obvious use. The underside of the lid has a paper extensive instructions list, in incredible condition, on how to stock and operate the machine. The shop owner did pencil in some prices by parts pictures. All held on with corner tacks and a wide brass strap.

This incredible piece is a triumph for a collector of so many things- Counter displays. Advertising. Interior design. Hardware. Graphics. And just general antiquites and oddities. There are no others I can find ever listed or pictured complete with the back sign, top spinner, full parts in the interior, and labeling.

Cabinet as a whole is in remarkably good condition considering its age and obvious use. There is minor wear and paint loss to the painted metal face dial from extensive use over time, and darkened oxidation around the window openings, but minor compared to most similar Boye pieces of this time period. The graphics are easily viewable, details easy to read. The dial turns perfectly, and the orange under carriage of parts information is easy to read. Top spinner is fixed solidly in place, with light wear to what appears to be the tin litho graphics on both sides. Spins free & easy. Wood cabinet is in very good shape, with only minor wear- no broken, spintered or chipped pieces. Graphics and labels on all sides and top display have wear & erosion, yet are all still quite readable as well. There is one scuff type scratch on the lower cetner front, but mostly there are only almost imperceivable surface scuffs. All the exposed brass fixtures are faded with oxidation, as are the two decorative metal arms that support the rear signage. The top glides open and closes easily. Please see all pictures closely and carefully as they are considered part of the description.

17 3/4" wide
16 1/2" deep including front bracket fixtures
15 3/4" tall inlcuding top spinner less