If it is in as good a shape as your photos show, and you said you didn't want to sell, then I assume you are looking for insurance value?
Check very carefully for makers marks. This looks to be a designer piece of very unusual shape. Get as much information/history as you can on it. Photos with background showing period settings, letters with date describing it, bills of sale etc. all to prove age. (Beware: Some of these were produced in the late 1900's by box stores and those are not worth more than about $100.)
I would suggest that, assuming late 1800's early 1900's and not a copy, you are looking at an insurance value of not less than $1000 and probably a bit more. If you can get strong proof of age together for it and a designer label/mark on it you would easily go 10 to 20 times that amount.
Since it is an inherited piece, it is likely that you are living else where than where it has been sitting all this time. That is important as changes in humidity and storage can cause organic material like this to degrade soon. If you can, talk to a certified antique restorer as to what you can do to maintain it. I'd also talk to a leather shop to get their opinion as to how to look after it.
The box was a given as a gift to my Great Grandfather in Boston around 1895 - 1905. I've got a note that was with it somewhere. I'll try and dig it out. Cheers.
Re: Leather bound box
If it is in as good a shape as your photos show, and you said you didn't want to sell, then I assume you are looking for insurance value?
Check very carefully for makers marks. This looks to be a designer piece of very unusual shape. Get as much information/history as you can on it. Photos with background showing period settings, letters with date describing it, bills of sale etc. all to prove age. (Beware: Some of these were produced in the late 1900's by box stores and those are not worth more than about $100.)
I would suggest that, assuming late 1800's early 1900's and not a copy, you are looking at an insurance value of not less than $1000 and probably a bit more. If you can get strong proof of age together for it and a designer label/mark on it you would easily go 10 to 20 times that amount.
Since it is an inherited piece, it is likely that you are living else where than where it has been sitting all this time. That is important as changes in humidity and storage can cause organic material like this to degrade soon. If you can, talk to a certified antique restorer as to what you can do to maintain it. I'd also talk to a leather shop to get their opinion as to how to look after it.
Hope this helps!
Re: Leather bound box
Thanks for your help 250chief.
The box was a given as a gift to my Great Grandfather in Boston around 1895 - 1905. I've got a note that was with it somewhere. I'll try and dig it out. Cheers.