Period correct boxes for mailing

[Euphemia]

I've had no luck researching this topic. So far I've only learned that corrugated boxes were not used for shipping at this time. What would all those packages from home have been shipped in? Wooden boxes? Wrapped in paper? What?

It's amazing how many small questions there are in this hobby. We spent several days researching glue!

Thanks,

E.

[toccoa42]

http://www.raggedsoldier.com/soldiers_boxes.pdf

[Spinster]

One of the things that documentation does not always tell, simply because it was 'common knowledge' at the time--the box construction indicated should be done with 'cut nails'

And you can find them here: http://www.tremontnail.com/

You may wish to stencil the name and destination on the box, or make it more flexible for reuse by using an Adams Express label, at least in your part of the country:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Adams_Express_Company

[Ross L. Lamoreaux]

http://crhendersonltd.googlepages.com/ If I may, a plug for a comrade with excellent period wood products who has also done some research on this subject.

[mmescher]

Lynn Kessler already mentioned a link to Virginia's article about soldiers' boxes on our website (raggedsoldier.com under the menu items "Articles: Virginia's Veranda" and check the archived articles). Besides the dimensions of a typical box and a description of what went on a label, there are numerous listing of items shipped to the soldiers. A box of the size mentioned in the article can be assembled without much cost very quickly and also doesn't require a herculean effort to fill it.

One item I always pack in a box when I'm doing programs is a rolled fabric doll (check the article to find why it is included). It never fails to draw comments.

Michael Mescher