This hinged metal box contains five intact wax letter seals along with four fragmented seals. Before adhesive envelopes were available, wax seals were used to prevent letters from being opened until accepted by the proper recipient.
This small red metal box, lined with black velvet cloth, once held one dozen pen points. The hinged box is inscribed with the patent date 9/24/1878 and "Esterbrook's Superior Steel Pens. The original Falcon no. 048." In this instance, the box...