Historical information

This seed box was made for Hiram Sibley for his seed house business. He sold seeds priced by the weight or the space they took up e.g. bushel. This box allowed for seeds to be divided by type, size or even date. The box was strong and easy to cart and store. It was also a handy item to 'recycle' as a storage container for other items.

The Sibley seed box is a desirable collectors' item. A large variety of sizes and shapes are still available today in various stages of condition.

Hiram Sibley developed seeds that were strong and the plants that grew from these seeds produced many seeds. Varieties of Sibley seeds and plants are still advertised for sale in modern times.

HIRAM SIBLEY (1807-1888) -

Hiram Sibley was born in America. He had a natural mechanical ability and became skilled in many trades. He and his partner Don Watson opened a sawmill then a machine shop and foundry. He became involved with Alfred Vale and Samuel Morse and their work on the telegraph. Eventually he became the first president of the Western Union Telegraph Company.

Later, after leaving Western Union in the early 1860s, Sibley bought and sold railroads, manufactured sold, ran timber mills, and became involved in farming and seed supply. In this area he used his skills to engineer seeds that were stronger and develop plants that produced more seeds. The production of seeds became his main business. He bought land cheaply and improved to soil so that he could produce seed and grain, and graze herds of cattle. He became the owner of 14 large farms.

Hiram Sibley earned the reputation "as the most extensive farmer and seedsman in this country". The business of Hiram Sibley & Co. was conducted his warehouse in Rochester and his seed house in Chicago. One department of the business sold farming equipment, another department imported ornamental plants from overseas countries

Sibley went on to invest a large amount of money in a bank, and to be financially involved in the community by making large donations to public services such as a library and a school of music. At one point he was the richest man in Monroe county.

Significance

This box is significant for its historic connection with Hiram Sibley, who is famous for many reasons, among which is his very profitable business of seed engineering to improve the production of crops.
This box also represents the value of containers used for selling products in the 1880s, being re-used for other useful purposes.
The box is an example of goods imported for use in Australia.
The text and images of the box are an example of 1880s advertising

Physical description

Box, wooden, with two brass hinges joining lid to base. Base has two wooden partitions, divided into three unequal sized compartments. Lid's underside has label with drawings of buildings and produce, text with maker's name and description of vegetables. Front edge of box has stencilled text and diagrams. Outside lid, and the other three sides, have no inscriptions. Made by Hiram Sibley & Co., USA.
(Box is currently used to store quoits 1436.2 and cones of cotton thread 1436.3.)

Inscriptions & markings

Marked "HIRAM SIBLEY & CO / SEEDS", "WAREHOUSE - "ROCHESTER N.Y. ", "SEED HOUSE - CHICARGO, ILL.", "SEEDS BY WEIGHT & MEASURE", "PUT UP BY / HIRAM SIBLEY & CO. / ROCHESTER, N.Y. AND CHICARGO, ILL."