Carbon Paper Tins Appraisal

Vintage Manifold Supplies Co. 'Royal Penn' and 'Panama' Carbon Paper Tins

This lot consists of two vintage, circular tin containers, likely used for packaging carbon paper or similar office supplies. Both tins feature lithographed designs on their lids. The upper tin is predominantly royal blue with a central circular logo. This logo is red with a white inner circle, featuring a stylized 'S' (or possibly two interlocked 'C's) in white, surrounded by the text 'PANAMA YOUR LETTERS'. Above the logo, the word 'ROYAL' is partially visible in white text, and below, 'MANIFOLD SUPPLIES CO BROOKLYN, N.Y. MADE IN U.S.A.' is printed in white, indicating the manufacturer and origin. The tin shows significant wear, including numerous scratches, scuffs, and areas where the blue paint has flaked off, revealing the silver-toned metal beneath. The edges of the lid also exhibit wear and minor indentations. The second tin, positioned below the first, features a vibrant blue background depicting a stylized map of Panama in green, with the word 'PANAMA' boldly printed in red letters across it. A small, early-model airplane with an orange wing is depicted flying above the map. This tin also displays considerable surface wear, including scratches, scuffs, and some loss of paint, particularly around the edges and center of the design, although it appears slightly less distressed than the 'Royal Penn' tin. Both tins are small, suggesting they held a limited quantity of their original contents. The craftsmanship is typical of early 20th-century mass-produced tins, featuring thin sheet metal construction and colorful lithography. These items likely date from the mid-20th century, possibly 1930s-1950s, given the style of graphics and product type. Their condition indicates prolonged use and storage, as would be expected for utilitarian items of this age.