This antique wooden shipping crate from the Larkin Soap MFG Co. of Buffalo, New York, dates to July 1901 and captures the entrepreneurial spirit of early American commerce. The boldly stenciled lettering — “Larkin Soap Co. Factory to Family” — recalls the company’s pioneering mail-order business model, which brought household goods directly to consumers at the turn of the century.
Constructed of solid pine, the crate features its original stenciled graphics on one side and retains a warm, time-softened patina developed over more than a century. The leather straps and handles appear to be later additions, but they blend in nicely and lend a touch of rustic character. The Larkin Company was celebrated not only for its soaps and perfumes but also for revolutionizing home shopping through its innovative direct-to-consumer approach.
In nice antique condition consistent with age and use, the box shows expected surface wear, small splits, and light fading to the lettering that only enhances its authenticity. A wonderful decorative accent or storage piece with genuine early industrial-era charm. 10h x 27w x 15d
