Preliminary identification
Photo reference
5 uploaded photos
Overview
This is a vintage, heavy-gauge molded clear plastic storage box featuring an embossed lid with five decorative geometric and floral medallions. Produced during the post-WWII plastics boom, it represents the early transition of synthetic materials from industrial military applications into stylish, functional household organization.
Story
Sunbury, Pennsylvania became a quiet hub of mid-century innovation when First Phillips Mfg. Corp. began molding household plastics. This box elevated simple storage into a decorative statement with its intricate, pressed-glass-style lid patterns.
Maker / Origin
First Phillips Manufacturing Corporation operated out of Sunbury, Pennsylvania, during the mid-20th century, specializing in injection-molded plastic housewares. They were part of a wave of regional American manufacturers that capitalized on wartime advancements in polymer chemistry to supply the booming postwar suburban domestic market.
Condition & Value
The box is structurally sound with no major cracks or chips, but it exhibits heavy, widespread surface scratching and scuffing throughout the lid and base. This extensive wear reduces its aesthetic appeal and limits its value by approximately 40-50% compared to a pristine, crystal-clear example.
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.