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Home In Stock Boxes & Carriers Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)
Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)

Red Antique Firkin Tray – “Rescued from the Dog Pound” (Harper’s Weekly, August 1, 1868)

$128.00

– Sold Out

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Please Note: This tray is made from a genuine antique firkin lid. Both the tray itself and the newspaper lining are authentic antique pieces. Please review all photos carefully before purchasing—there will be cracks, surface wear, and other signs of age from decades of use. None of these affect the tray’s durability, as I’ve repaired anything that could cause structural issues. These imperfections are part of the charm, but please be sure you’re comfortable with the condition as shown.

Approximate dimensions: 11.5" diameter x 1.25" high
You are purchasing the exact tray shown in the photos. Only one available.

On a recent antiquing trip, Tricia and I came across a small stack of old firkin lids—tucked off to the side and easy to overlook. I brushed off the dust and could see they had potential—great surfaces and a story worth continuing. I ended up bringing three of them back to the shop and turned each one into a tray lined with antique newspapers from the 1800s.

This tray, with its original red paint, is probably my favorite of the bunch. It’s one of the nicest examples of old red paint I’ve come across—deep color, great wear, and a finish that’s aged just right. The bottom board had a crack and was starting to come loose, so I removed it, glued and clamped the piece back together, and now it’s solid again. The exterior was given a light cleaning and an oil coat to help protect and preserve that rich red surface.

Inside, I sanded and painted the surface white to help the newspaper print and graphics stand out, then lined it with an original Harper’s Weekly front page dated August 1, 1868. The illustration—titled “Rescued from the Dog Pound”—shows a young boy hugging his pup after saving him from the pound. It’s one of my favorite images I’ve worked with.

The paper is sealed with both an adhesive topcoat and an acrylic finish to make it durable and fairly water-resistant. That said, it’s intended to be used for dry items only—great in a craft room, as a catch-all by the door, or anywhere you’d like a bit of organization along with a touch of history on display.