Object Record
Images
Metadata
Catalog Number |
2020.FIC.021 |
Object Name |
Box, Ballot |
Title |
Hall and Wood Trenton Ballot Box |
Description |
The ballot box is cube-shaped, containing a series of blue and white papers inside. Both the base and roof of the box are made of brown square wooden pieces, with the roof supported by four gold cylindrical metal pillars at each corner. The walls of the box are made of glass, featuring a diamond-shaped wire pattern. Each of the four glass sides has an embossed inscription that reads, "THE HALL AND WOOD BALLOT BOX CO. CINCINNATI. O.," though the word "ballot" is misspelled. The ballot box has a large gold cylindrical metal cap on top, with two holes. One hole is cylindrical and covered with glass, beneath which is a dial with numbers. The second hole is rectangular, with a thin hole leading inside the box, presumably for inserting the papers. A gold cylindrical knob with a curved handle protrudes from the bottom of the cap; when the handle is turned, a bell rings. On either side of the cap are two gold half-square railings. To the lower left of the railings, there is a small gold wheel combination lock, with numbers ranging from 5 to 50 on its dial. A spring on top of the dial connects to the railing. To the upper right of the railings, there is a gold circular piece of metal with a key protruding from it. Carved inscriptions on top of the box read, "WARD 4 P. AFTER THE ELECTION. 2. FOR LIFTING OUT HEAD. 3. TO RECEIVE BALLOTS. 2." The bottom has no distinguishing features except for a circular piece of felt in the lower left corner. Inside the box, there are blue and white papers, each with black inscriptions. The blue papers read, "OFFICIAL ENVELOPE FOR FOURTH WARD, City of Trenton, New Jersey, Election of April 12th, 1898. C. Edward Murray. City Clerk." The white papers read, "CITY OF TRENTON, N.J. SPECIAL ELECTION, For the adoption or rejection by the City of Trenton of the provisions of an act of one thousand nine hundred and eleven, entitled, 'An act relating to, regulating and providing for the government of cities, towns, boroughs and other municipalities within the state.' FOR THE ADOPTION. AGAINST THE ADOPTION. (Vote for or against, place cross in one square)." The white papers are significantly larger than the blue ones. According to the January 1st, 1943 edition of Trenton Times, General C. Edward Murray was the city clerk of Trenton and the Quartermaster of New Jersey. Born in Lambertville on July 17th, 1863, he moved to Trenton at the age of two and lived there for the rest of his life. Murray owned the Murray Rubber Company and was the president of the Crescent Insulated Wire and Cable Company. He served in the New Jersey National Guard from 1885 to 1899, and was a key figure in philanthropic and social welfare movements. From 1894 to 1904, he served as Trenton's city clerk, after which he was appointed quartermaster-general of New Jersey by the governor in 1895. He continued in this role until his retirement in 1934. Murray passed away on January 12th, 1945, at the age of 79. Citations: Berg. (1943, January 12). Gen. Murray, Civic Leader, Dead at 79. The Trenton Times. |
Date |
Late 19th Century |
Material |
Wood, Metal, Glass |
Artist |
Hall and Wood Ballott Box Company |
Height (in) |
10.000 |
Length (in) |
12.000 |
Width (in) |
12.000 |
Condition |
Okay |
Condition Notes |
Overall: Abrasions, accretions, and discolorations throughout. The wire is coming apart at numerous points. And most of the inscriptions on the glass are faded. Front: There are abrasions all over the wood and the glass. There are black accretions all over the metal. And finally, the wire is coming apart near the bottom. Right Side: There are abrasions all over the metal and glass. There is a dark brown discoloration on the wood on the bottom near the right side. And finally, the inscription is faded. Back: There are abrasions all over the wood and glass. The wiring is coming apart near the left side. And finally, the inscription is faded. Left Side: There are abrasions all over the metal and glass. There are black accretions on the metal on the bottom near the right side. And finally, the inscription is faded. Top: There are abrasions all over the wood. Also, there is a crack near the lower right corner. Bottom: Three of the felt circles are missing. There is paint bleeding on the right side. There is a long light brown discoloration on top. There is a small dark brown discoloration on top near the right side. And finally, there are glue accretions where the pieces of foam used to be. |
Inscription Type |
Manufacturer's Mark |
Inscription Location |
F, RS, B, LS, C, L to R |
Inscription Technique |
Embossed |
Inscription Text |
"THE HALL AND WOOD" Line 1 "BALLOTT BOX CO." Line 2 "CINCINATTI. O" Line 3 Inscription Engraving Top, Top to Bottom, Left to Right "WARD 4 P" Line 1 "809" Line 2 "1" Line 3 "AFTER THE" Line 4 "ELECTION" Line 5 "2" Line 6 "FOR LIFTING" Line 7 "OUT HEAD" Line 8 "3" Line 9 "TO RECEIVE" Line 10 "BALLOT" Line 11 "2" Line 12 |
People |
C. Edward Murray |
Classification |
Government & Politics |
Subjects |
Woodwork Wood Wood carving Wood carvings Glass Glass industry Metalwork Government employees Government policy Government regulation Government reorganization Boxes |
Search Terms |
Ohio Cincinnati Trenton City Government New Jersey The Hall and Wood Ballott Box Company Glass Metal Wood Paper Key Handle Bell Wheel Combination Lock C. Edward Murray Quartermaster-General General City Clerk Murray Rubber Company Lamberville Crescent Insulated Wire and Cable Company Republican Party Election Special Blue White Gold Brown Ballots 19th Century 1898 Hall and Wood Trenton Ballot Box |
Provenance |
Found in collection |