English. Late 19C. Possibly by Flatters and Garnett Ltd. Black japanned tin. Would have originally been fitted with an adjustable leather strap.

 L 13.5 inches (29cms) x H 6.5 inches (14cms) x D 3 inches (7.5cms).

These were used commonly by plant collectors. The specimens collected in the wild would not be squashed until the collector is ready to arrange and ‘press’ them between newspaper to dry them prior to mounting on herbarium sheets.

Rare to find one of these particularly in this condition with no dents of scraps.