Antique HAWKEYE Refrigerator Picnic Basket 'Solid Top' c1902-1910 Tin Lined

Early "solid-top" Hawkeye Refrigerator Baskets are significantly less common than later double-hinged examples and are increasingly difficult to find complete.

HISTORY:
The solid-top Hawkeye Refrigerator Basket is believed to predate the better-known double-hinged versions and was produced during the company's earliest years, circa 1902-1910.

Manufactured by the Burlington Basket Company of Burlington, Iowa, these innovative baskets were advertised as "Miniature Refrigerators" for picnics, automobilists, travelers, sporting outings, and office lunches. Early advertisements claimed that a small block of ice could keep contents cool for extended periods.

Measurements: 22” Long  x 10.5” (includes handle attachments) Wide x 14.5” Tall

Weight: 12.5 lbs 

Details:
• Construction: Woven rattan exterior (presumably brown ash) with oak frame and solid wood swing handles.

• Solid/Removable Lid (oak): These early models used a single, solid wood panel (with a smaller, felt-lined inset panel) that was held in place by a strap rather than hinges. Lid is completely removable. The top is a single wood panel, featuring a smaller inset panel on the underside with a wool felt gasket to provide an airtight, "refrigerator-like" seal.

• Lid is marked:  Hawkeye Basket Refrigerator Patents Pending Burlington, Iowa

• Lid is secured by a leather strap with a metal buckle (buckle is original). 
* NOTE: Due to the age of this basket, the original leather strap has been replaced with a new leather strap with bolt attachments.

• Tin Interior liner. 

• Bottom made of hardwood. 

• Cooling System: Original removable tin Ice Container with Lid "designed to hold a block of ice".

_______________


SHIPPING: Carefully packaged and shipped with tracking and insurance. Weight of shipping package: approx 16 pounds.


RETURNS: Returns accepted only if a significant flaw has been overlooked in the description.Vintage and antique items may show normal wear consistent with age.

Thank you for visiting my store!
Please browse my other unique vintage and antique treasures.