Vigo County Historical Society
Historical Treasure Article
Historic Treasure of the Week -
July 3, 1983
By Dr. Benjamin Walker
Vigo County Historical Society
Children carried treasures to school
The brass-hinged wooden pencil box, this week’s historical treasure, is entitled, “Scholar’s Companion.”
The colors red, white and blue, as well as the flag, eagle, and shield, are symbolic of patriotism and Independence Day.
Other pictured items include arrows, a globe, an olive branch and a ship. The box measures 1 3/8 by 2 1/4 by 8 1/2 inches.
The pencil box is signed and dated “Blanche Rippetoe, Jan. 2, 1904.” Contents of the box include a slate pencil, two lead pencils, three “commies” (cheap, clay marbles), seven pen points, a paper clip, and some ribbon and string. Wooden pencil boxes, some with locks and keys, were common during the first quarter of this century. It was a moment of great price for a “grade school” youngster to display to his classmates a brightly pictured pencil box.
Most of the boxes had dividers to form three or four separate compartments which would accommodate not only the usual school necessities, but cherished possessions such as hairpins, brooches, marbles, combs, ribbon and occasionally, spitballs.
The brightly colored scenes on top of the boxes usually depicted nursery rhymes, children’s stories and games, as well as rural scenes.