2723b. Plans for Reproduction U.S. Light House Establishment Library Box.
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2723b. Plans for Reproduction U.S. Light House Establishment Library Box.
#2723b. Plans for Reproduction U.S. Light House Establishment Library Box.
In an effort to satisfy the intellectual need of remote light keepers and their families, the Light-House Establishment in 1876 first introduced portable libraries and furnished to all light vessels and inaccessible offshore light stations a selection of reading materials. Later the U. S. Life Saving Service also began to furnish identical library boxes to all of their stations as well. These libraries were contained in a portable wooden case, each with a printed listing of the contents posted inside the door. Such library boxes measures about 2 feet high, 2 feet wide, and 8 inches deep. They were made of shellacked white pine strengthened with heavy brass trimmings. Inside were two shelves of different heights. The doors were secured with a bolt on one, and with a mortised lock on the other. On the sides were hinged handles. The cases were constructed so as to make a neat appearance when on a table yet be sturdy for transport. By the end of the century there would be over 700 library boxes in service at lighthouses, and scores more with the life-saving stations.
At one time we were most fortunate to find a local craftsman who duplicated these original library boxes in every detail. After acquiring an original, he carefully dismantled it and recorded every measurement and construction detail. Each beautiful reproduction is hand made of heavy pine with dovetail joints, cast brass hinges and handles, back bands, door lock and hand lettered “U.S.L.H. Est. Library No. [your choice]”, or “U. S. Life Saving Service Library No. [your choice]” , as were the originals.
At the same time he produced these two plan sheets with needed dimensions.
These boxes will deserve an honored place in your den or library, and would be the perfect place to store your original library books as you find them. For museums these make a perfect companion for your Lighthouse Service or Life Saving Service display.
Today our craftsman is no longer able to produce these fine replicas, but we have his two plan sheets and a few pages of photos.
Plan sheets measure 24” x 28” b/w.
#2723b. 2 plan sheets. 4 photo sheets. $42