Expert: Irene Schwall - 5/6/2010

Question
This is a wooden cylindrical needle case that holds three #16 needles. The lid pulls off and printed on the lid is Pat. Jan 18-1910. Can you tell me anymore about it and it's value? Thanking you in advance for your time.

Answer
Hello Vickie,
Thank you for your query.
Without an actual photograph of your needle case it is somewhat difficult for me to be 100% accurate in my description but ...........
In reading your question I am assuming that you have a single wooden needle case (?).

Here is a little bit of information about the BOYE Company:
Your small wooden needle case was made for the "BOYE" Rotary needle, shuttle and bobbin case, a large round metal case that housed high grade needles shuttles and bobbins.  These large cases could be found in almost every hardware store in the early 1900's.  Boye produced a rotary dispenser that held 144 wooden tubes of needles, 24 shuttles and 72 bobbins.  
The actual case was patented June 12, 1906.  
The small wooden cases sell on eBay from $1 to approx $4.  They are neither rare or unique as there were thousands of these little wooden cases on the market.
I hope this helps.
Regards,
Irene