Authentic 1880s Brooks Meltham Mills England Box w 12 Cotton Thread Wood Spools

Description

Antique lot of Machine Cotton thread from Brook's, Meltham Mills, England.
Antique box of prize winning cotton thread made by the Brook's family Meltham Mills in England during the 1880s.  Box shows the "Exhibition Prizes" Brook's cotton thread won from 1851 to 1880, including the "
Only
Medal" won in London's Crystal Palace during the Great Exhibition of 1851.  Brook's mill was one of 14,000 exhibitors from around the world that displayed
"examples of technology developed during the Industrial Revolution."
Jonas Brook and brothers, James and Joseph, started their business in Meltham Mills (which the family built and much of which still stands today) in the mid-1800s, and used part of the Brook's family coat of arms as the company logo -- a goat's head -- as seen on this vintage box.
In 1890 the company became United Threads, and in 1939 United Threads was closed and the business was transferred to Paisley, which became part of J & P Coats.  The 1890 date is important, because it shows that this box with thread is pre-1890 when the company changed names.
This antique paper board box still holds 12 unused wooden spools of Brook's machine cotton.  10 spools are light pink -- color 504, and 2 spools are white -- color 104.  The box may not be original to either color of thread, since the end label reads the color is "Light Esterhazy" and has 47 after that.  Box measures approximately 5 1/2" longest measurement.
Antique items show wear and discoloration from being approximately 130 years old.  Box has tears, broken corners, peeling labels, brown foxing of paper, and general wear as seen in photos.  Wooden spools show discoloration, including a lot of brown spots on the wood itself, and paper labels show discoloration and rubbing wear.  After more than 100 years the thread still looks good with only slight discoloration.
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