Images(14)

Box, Collar

Object number2017.91.47 a-p

Manufacturer 20th Century Brand

Manufacturer Corliss, Coon and Company

Date1890-1900

MediumLeather; Metal; Velvet; Linen; Ink; Paperboard; Graphite; Mother of Pearl (Nacre); Glass(?)

Credit LineIn memory of Harry "Bus" Means

DescriptionBlack leather oval collar and cuff box embossed flowers with matching lid. Top center of lid has metal clamshell compartment with decoration in shallow relief; compartment interior is lined with brown velvet fabric. Interior is divided into two concentric compartments: a central circle and surrounding oval. Box contains ten off-white linen detachable cuffs, a paperboard tag, and three cuff links.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a-b): 5.875 x 7.5 x 6.5 in. (14.9 x 19.1 x 16.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (a): 5 x 7.5 x 6.5 in. (12.7 x 19.1 x 16.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (b): 1.5 x 7.5 x 6.5 in. (3.8 x 19.1 x 16.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (c): 3.875 x 6.5 x 4.125 in. (9.8 x 16.5 x 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (d): 3.75 x 6.313 x 4.125 in. (9.5 x 16 x 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (e): 4.25 x 4.688 x 4 in. (10.8 x 11.9 x 10.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (f): 4.125 x 4.875 x 4 in. (10.5 x 12.4 x 10.2 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (g): 4 x 6.313 x 4.375 in. (10.2 x 16 x 11.1 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (h): 4 x 6.063 x 4.313 in. (10.2 x 15.4 x 11 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (i): 3.688 x 5.813 x 4.438 in. (9.4 x 14.8 x 11.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (j): 4.188 x 5.75 x 4.188 in. (10.6 x 14.6 x 10.6 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (k): 3.75 x 5.375 x 4.438 in. (9.5 x 13.7 x 11.3 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (l): 4.125 x 5.5 x 4.125 in. (10.5 x 14 x 10.5 cm)
Height x Width x Depth (m): 1.031 x 1.031 x 0.063 in. (2.6 x 2.6 x 0.2 cm)
Diameter x Depth (n): 0.563 x 0.438 in. (1.4 x 1.1 cm)
Diameter x Depth (o): 0.5 x 0.5 in. (1.3 x 1.3 cm)
Diameter x Depth (p): 0.563 x 0.375 in. (1.4 x 1 cm)
Inscriptions(b)
Interior of lid has handwritten text in pencil "Present By / Priscilla Conn. / Dec-25-1900"; last name is difficult to read. Opposite side of interior has handwritten text in pencil "1901".

(c-l)
Inscription note: Most cuffs have markings including "NW-816" that could also be ''NW-81b".

(c)
Interior at center has handwritten text in black ink, repeated twice "nw-816".

(d)
Interior at center has handwritten text in black ink "NW-816+" and other illegible text.

(e)
Exterior at center has handwritten text in black ink "NW-816" superimposed twice; below this is faint illegible text.

(f)
Exterior at center has handwritten text in black ink "NW816" superimposed twice.

Exterior of proper left side at bottom has handwritten text in faded black ink "Means".

(g-h)
Interior at center has handwritten text in black ink "NW-816+".

(i)
Interior at center has handwritten text in black ink "NW-816+" and in black and red ink "NW-816".

(j)
Interior at bottom center has handwritten text in black in repeated twice "NW 816".

(k)
Interior at right center has handwritten text in black ink "NW 816" and "NW 816+"; there is red text possibly repeating the same text behind.

(l)
Interior at bottom center has handwritten text in black ink twice and in red ink once: "NW 816"

(m)
Tan side has handwritten text in black ink "29".

Marks(b)
Underside of metal compartment (inside of lid) has imprinted text "PAT. MAY 27 90".

(c-d, i)
Interior at center has printed text in black ink "20th. / Century / BRAND / PATLIN / LINEN 4 PLY / 10 2".

(e-f)
Exterior at bottom center has printed text in black ink "WARRANTED / PURE LINEN / 10 2".

(g-h)
Interior at center has printed text in black ink "HELMET BRAND / TRADE [armor helmet] MARK / WARWICK / CORLISS, COON & CO. / II".

(j, l)
Interior at bottom center has printed text in black ink "WARRANTED / PURE LINEN. / 10 2".
Historical NotesCharles W. Means' (Harry Means' father) collar and cuffs box with contents. Part of a collection related to Harry "Bus" Means. This extensive collection of military uniforms and equipment relates to the life and career of U.S. Marines Corps chief flight mechanic Sergeant Harry “Bus” Means of New Wilmington, Pennsylvania. Means served with multiple units during WWII and immediately afterwards, including the “Bombing Banshees” VMSB-244 flight squadron that participated in the occupation of China and the Philippines. Means served through 1946, then returned to service during the Korean War, so his story represents the Cold War history of those whose military participation did not end with the official surrender of the Japanese in WWII. The collection contains artifacts representing the post-War occupation of China and the Pacific Islands, and also reminders of the regional tensions that led to conflict again in Southeast Asia within ten years. The collection also includes more general materials from Mean’s childhood in New Wilmington, Pennsylvania, and his civilian occupations, such as his role as a USPS mail carrier.

Previous owner Charles W. Means (1868 - 1926)

Related person Sergeant Harry E. Means

Related person Priscilla A. Conn Means (1881 - 1949)

Subjects

Terms