Auction: American Furniture & Decorative Arts - 2509Location: MarlboroughDate / Time: August 14, 2010 3:00PM
Description:
Brass Coin-Operated Tobacco "Honesty Box," England, c. 1850, rectagnular box with twin compartments, button, and handle, on ball feet, ht. 7 1/4, wd. 4 1/2, lg. 9 1/4 in.
Note: Used primarily in pubs, the patron inserted a coin, pushed the button, which opened the compartment, and took a pipeful of tobacco. They were not supposed to take more, hence the term "honesty box."
Estimate $400-600