Our Aunt Christine has been one of the biggest supporters of At the Picket Fence from the very beginning. We’re fairly certain she was one of the first (if not THE first) person to pre-order a copy of our book Life in Season. All bloggers know that it’s never a guarantee that your closest friends and family will actually read your blog, so when they do, it truly means so much.
My parents split their time between Oregon and Florida and as they were driving across the country to spend the summer here in the Pacific Northwest, they made a stop to visit Aunt Christine and Uncle Bob in Arizona.
Now, our family loves vintage pieces. But, not just any vintage pieces. We cherish family heirlooms. There have been many debates conversations over the years about who gets what. I’m pretty sure there has been a temptation to write names on post-it notes and stick them to the back of furniture or inside an old book to lay claim to them after the original owner leaves this earth. 😉
But, before my parents left my Aunt and Uncle’s home, Aunt Christine very thoughtfully gave her something to give to me that she knew I would be so thrilled to add to my collection of family heirlooms.
A vintage wood typeset tray which had originally belonged to my grandmother.
And it’s one thing to find a cool vintage piece in a store, but it’s another thing entirely to be given one that has been handed down through the years from one generation to the next.
This particular typeset tray is from the American Type Founders Company which was created in 1892 and as you can see it’s a “10 Point John Hancock”.
I could hardly contain my excitement when my mom handed it to me and immediately set out to find the perfect spot for it in the house. It found it’s way to almost every room before settling here on the side table in our breakfast room and I just love how it adds so much charm and character to this little space.
Thank you Aunt Christine, not only for your thoughtfulness in sending me this gift, but for keeping the legacy of a love for family treasures alive and well. Someday, this will be passed on to one of my children as well.
I’ll be curious to see which one puts a post-it note on the back first! 😉
Now, if you want to see more thrifty treasures and ideas, check out the latest from our Thrifty Style Team!
As always, thank you so much for meeting me at the fence today,
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16 Comments on "Vintage Wood Typeset Tray"
Your printers tray is a true gift to cherish. Your aunt is so very thoughtful and we know how much you treasure her thoughtfulness and love. We have never seen a tray quite like yours with the “John Hancock” – we love how you have it styled and displayed!
I think it’s fate…. just visited House of Hawthorns letter board and want one, and now a printers drawer and I have one, so I think I should marry the two ideas. But I won’t be stopping to visit Aunt Christine and Uncle Bob; as I mentioned in my comment at HOH, I was just in Arizona and melted my azz on hot leather in Phoenix.
Love the character and charm this adds to your space. The warm wood tone is gorgeous. Nothing quite like a family heirloom to display in your home. Enjoy!
OH MY GOODNESS! Aunt Christine definitely gets “Best Aunt” award!! What a treasure, and so thoughtful! I bet she will love this post 😉
What an awesome gift from your aunt! I have several heirlooms from my grandma that are very precious to me! I’m loving your book “Life in Season”! I am now a young great grandmother and some of your thoughts and experiences I can relate to! So thankful that Father God never gave up on me!
Oh I’m so thrilled that you are enjoying our book Susan!! And we serve such a wonderful God, don’t we? Thank you for stopping by and commenting!
Oh, Vanessa…this is such a wonderful gift! I’m so happy you’re able to enjoy it all the time. Family heirlooms certainly do beat thrift store finds every time…and you have the gold mine of finds here. Love this so much!
It is always nice to receive family pieces to hand down and cherish.
Such a beautiful piece of history. Don’t you wish pieces like this could tell stories? AND, it adds lovely character to your already lovely home. Thanks for sharing.
i love to see things being passed down within family or friends. looks great leaning on the console table.
What a wonderful gift! I had one of those printer’s trays many years ago. I sold it at some point but I’ve always regretted doing so . Yours is certainly one to treasure!
What an awesome treasure! Love the story behind it and how you styled it!
This is so special and beautiful. I love that your family appreciates vintage treasures. Thank you so much for sharing this sweet story and beautiful styling.
Such a nice gift from your Aunt! It may sound weird, but I love the patina on those things. The inks make every cubbyhole just a little bit more unique than the next.
What a wonderful piece. It is such a treasure to be the recipient of a piece that is handed down from one generation to another. xo
Beautiful! Yes, you have found the perfect spot in your home for the perfect family heirloom.