At the silent auction of a neighboring town's museum recently, we put in a bid for a ballot box and won! Apparently at one time, it was the law in Colorado that ballot boxes were to be glass so that the ballots could be seen at all times. This ballot box was used here in Fremont County, Colorado until the 1970s for local elections. BUT, this isn't what the ballot box and its carrying case looked like when we won the bid!
This is what we got for our $10 bid - a ballot box and its carrying case IN PIECES. It was amazing to us that the glass parts were unbroken and, thus, the project was worth restoring.
Bob worked his magic - he loves projects like this!
Incised on the top piece of glass is "National Ballot Box - Pat. June 17, 1884"
"Mfg. by Amos Pettibone, Chicago"
You can see here the brass rings that hold the two glass pieces together to allow the ballots to be retrieved for counting.
This beauty will join our small collection of ballot boxes. You can read about our Otero County, Colorado box here and our fraternal organization ballot box here.
We keep thinking this has to stop as we are running out of room; but it's hard to resist a historical item like this for just $10.
I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
I'm joining the following:
My Uncommon Slice of Suburbia for Inspire Me Monday
Between Naps on the Porch for Metamorphosis Monday
Confessions of a Plate Addict for The Scoop Tuesday
Coastal Charm for Nifty Thrifty Tuesday
A Stroll Thru Life for Inspire Me Tuesday
Knick of Time for Knick of Time Vintage Tuesday
The Dedicated House for Before and After Wednesday
Ivy and Elephants for What's It Wednesday
Savvy Southern Style for WOW Us Wednesdays
Green Willow Pond for What We Accomplished Wednesday
From My Front Porch To Yours for Treasure Hunt Thursday
Have a Daily Cup for Share Your Cup Thursday
9 comments:
Hi Sally! Oh, I'm amazed at your ballot box! It's very pretty! Most folks wouldn't have given it a second peep at the way you bought it. $10 sounds like a great deal too. You find the most wonderful things. Hope you're doing well.
Be a sweetie,
Shelia ;0
Oh I love it and what a fabulous find. Thanks tons for linking to Inspire Me.
Hi, Sally...thanks for stopping by.
I am IN LOVE with your ballot box. It's really a treasure....
How far do you live from Colo. Springs? We are coming there sometime this summer as we have a very close friend that lives there. I surely would love it if you live close enuf that we could get together.
xo bj
Oh my goodness, what a treasure!!!
What a great piece of history! Your hubby did an awesome restoration job. Thank you for sharing at What We Accomplished Wednesdays. Have a great week!
Blessings,
Deborah
Wow that is one score of a find I must say, I adore anything vintage glass what a statement piece you salvaged! Fabulous restore!
What a fabulous find! I would not have been able to pass on it either.
You have it looking fantastic, too.
Hugs,
Patti
That is such a beautiful piece! I think you did very good and your husband did a wonderful job of restoring it! Such a fun piece of history. Happy Mothers day.
Blessings
Susie
Awesome Sally! Your hubby did an amazing job of restoring it. Really a unique piece. thanks for sharing it with SYC.
hugs,
Jann
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