President Andrew Jackson "Old Hickory" War of 1812 commemorative oval pasteboard or cardboard hat box, covered with colorful woodblock printed wallpaper. The lid depicts a landscape scene with figure on horseback crossing a bridge leading to a log cabin, possibly the "First Hermitage" where General Jackson resided until his still-extant mansion, also known as The Hermitage, was completed. The sides depict General Andrew Jackson attired in uniform, standing by his horse and holding a sword, with a town (likely New Orleans) and tents in the background, and banners reading "Old Hickory" to three sides. The underside of lid retains a merchant label reading "John van Steenburgh/ No. 35 Roosevelt Street/ Corner of Bancker Street/ New York/ Makes and Sells all kinds of Paper Boxes, Wholesale and Retail, N. B. Boxes Made in Nests for Exportation". 11" H x 16 1/2" W x 12 1/2" D. Circa 1820-1845. Note: General Andrew Jackson earned his nickname "Old Hickory," as well as nationwide fame, and laid the groundwork for a future successful presidential bid, with his War of 1812 Victory at the Battle of New Orleans. His likeness soon became widespread through prints and other commemorative objects, but most of the objects were ephemeral and few have survived. Two other examples of this box are documented including one example in the book "Hat Boxes and Bandboxes at Shelburne Museum" by Lilian Baker Carlisle, pgs. 190-191. The other example is at the The Historic New Orleans Collection (item# 2012.0405.2) whose catalog attributes theirs to circa 1820-1845, and notes: "Inexpensive pasteboard boxes for the storage of household articles were common features of mid-nineteenth-century American closets. They were often covered with colorful printed paper, and some designs commemorated popular political figures such as presidents Andrew Jackson and William Henry Harrison."

CONDITION: Overall good condition. Wear, grime, water spotting, and losses to the perimeter of the lid with minor use wear and scattered losses to paper on the sides and lower edge, slight bowing. The base with a separation to the side seam on one long side. Errant pencil inscriptions to the top and base.