Preliminary identification
Photo reference
2 uploaded photos
Overview
A beautifully preserved, square-shaped lithographed tin designed to hold a typewriter ribbon for an Underwood 7/16 typewriter. Featuring a striking olive-green color palette with elegant Art Nouveau-inspired floral borders, this tin is a wonderful relic of early 20th-century office culture.
Story
In the 1920s, the clatter of typewriters defined the modern office. This tin held a premium 'Black Record' ribbon, ensuring that important business documents and literary works of the era were preserved in permanent ink.
Maker / Origin
Founded in Boston in 1858 by William Carter, The Carter's Ink Company grew to become one of the largest ink and stationery manufacturers in the world. They were famous not just for their high-quality inks, but for their highly collectible, beautifully designed packaging that turned everyday office supplies into works of art.
Condition & Value
The tin is in very good vintage condition with minor edge wear, light scuffing, and tiny spots of paint loss consistent with age and use. The lithographed graphics remain bright, legible, and largely unfaded. Excellent preservation of the green pigment.
Full Research
Sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance pulled from recent auction results.
Build on this identification
Layer in sold comps, value drivers, and venue guidance.
Comparable demand stays strongest where maker, originality, and venue confidence line up. Broader examples still trade, but the range tightens quickly when provenance, condition, or selling lane fit is missing.
Best Venue
Specialty auction or a focused dealer with buyers already in this lane.
Signed example with light edge wear and original frame.
Comparable format with stronger provenance and cleaner surface.
Smaller related piece with visible craquelure and trimmed margins.
Period match with softer condition and weaker subject matter.
Close market lane comp with similar material and presentation.