Tole is described as “a painted, enameled, or lacquered tinplate used to make decorative domestic objects.”

This tole item is a suitcase that meas. approx. 24.50 inches long x 15.25 inches wide x 5.00 inches high. The sides and top are painted gold with a brown trim. One edge has a brass handle and non-functioning lock with the key attached by a chain. The top of the case is slightly domed.

The gold and brown paint is chipped and scratched in numerous places consistent with an item of this age that has been knocked about not only during the time of its use but also through long years of storage. That being said, there are no major dings or dents. One side panel acts as the base of the case when laid on a table and this side is not painted. The other side acts as the top. This top panel not only has the brown and gold paint but also has “J. F. TARBELL / U. S. NAVY.” The painted letters are done in the same brown paint as the trim on the case and are outlined in red. Letters are done in a Gothic type script and meas. approx. 1.00 inch high. Like the rest of the paint on the case the letters show wear and chipping. The most serious is the letter “S” which is missing its lower half.

The hinged lid operates well and the interior is clean.

John F. Tarbell was born in Pepperell, Massachusetts on April 30, 1840. He was appointed Acting Assistant Paymaster on January 28, 1862. During the Civil War he served aboard the USS KENSINGTON, USS NEPTUNE and USS MARBLEHEAD in both the West and East Gulf Squadron. He was mustered out on December 11, 1865.

After the war Tarbell continued in the Navy. He was appointed Assistant Paymaster February 21, 1867 and Paymaster on April 3, 1879. He was put on the retired list on February 18, 1892. He died in Boston on May 5, 1905 and is buried in Forest Hills Cemetery & Crematory, Jamaica Plain, Massachusetts.

Internet research on Tarbell comes with the case. Among the research is a photo printed from the internet of him in uniform later in his service.

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