This cap box was purchased by Greencastle collector Tom Bohon from Mrs. Ellen Shields in the late 1970’s. Tom was a regular visitor to the Shields Museum and got to know the family. Tom had often mentioned to them that if they ever wanted to sell anything he would be interested. One Saturday Mrs. Ellen Shields pulled a box with several items from under the counter and asked Tom if he was interested. Tom purchased the box which included the cap box described below.

Standard issue leather Union cap box in good condition. The outer flap shows light wear consistent with use especially along the top edge. The integral latch tab is slightly curled but complete.

The interior flap has both ears. Its surfaced has moderate crazing with some surface finish loss along one edge. There is a New Jersey maker’s mark but the crazing makes it difficult to decipher.

The interior of the box has no fleece or pick.

The body of the box is in nice condition with smooth leather showing light wear from use on the edges and bottom. The bottom of the box still retains the pear shaped brass finial.

The reverse of the box shows harder wear and loss of surface finish but both of the belt loops are intact and strong.

Still attached to the box is the original Horse Soldier tag with inventory and catalog item number as well as the date we originally sold the item in 1989.

Ott Shields amassed one of the earliest and well known collections of Gettysburg artifacts.  In 1918, he opened a private museum that featured the “Shields Collection,” one of the few documented Gettysburg collections obtained by local families (Rosensteel; Danner; Wert; Mumper; Ziegler, etc.).  The Shields Museum closed in the 1980s and the collection was sold at auction on November 16, 1985.  Offering over 600 lots “comprised mostly of Gettysburg battlefield pick-up relics,” the auction attracted several hundred Civil War collectors, dealers, and museum buyers.

Items from the old Shields Museum of Gettysburg artifacts are highly sought after and very desirable.

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THIS ITEM, AS WITH ALL OTHER ITEMS AVAILABLE ON OUR WEB SITE,

MAY BE PURCHASED THROUGH OUR LAYAWAY PROGRAM.

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