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Brand / Manufacturer: Dodge Manufacturing Company
Type: Industrial Shipping Crate / Advertising Crate
Vintage: Yes — Antique
Estimated Circa: 1910–1925
Material: Wood, Metal Wire
Primary Color: Brown
Secondary Color: Black
Style: Industrial, Americana, Early 20th Century
Original Advertising: Yes
Advertising Text, Side One: “DODGE — Everything for the Mechanical Transmission of Power”
Advertising Text, Side Two: “DODGE — The Right Drive for Every Job”
Length: Approximately 20"
Width: Approximately 10"
Height: Approximately 11"
Original Use: Industrial shipping / equipment packaging
Room / Display: Garage, Workshop, Office, Library, Game Room, Collector Room, Bar
Condition: Antique industrial condition with substantial authentic age and use
CONDITION: This is an authentic antique industrial shipping crate that shows substantial evidence of its original working life and more than a century of age. The wood exhibits expected surface wear, staining, discoloration, scratches, separations, edge wear, small losses and old label or paper remnants. The original metal wire construction shows oxidation, bends and irregularities, with some wire ends extending from the crate. The lid does not sit perfectly flush, and the interior retains substantial wooden blocking associated with its original industrial purpose. The advertising remains remarkably legible considering the age and utilitarian nature of the piece, including different Dodge advertising on its two long sides. This is emphatically an antique industrial object rather than a newly manufactured decorative box. Please review every photograph closely for its exact condition, construction and extraordinary surviving character.
This is the kind of object around which a serious collector can build a room.
An early Dodge Manufacturing Company wooden industrial shipping crate, this substantial 20-inch box survives with original Dodge advertising on both sides, period wire construction, lid and interior wooden equipment supports. It is an exceptional piece of early American industrial decor for the collector who wants his garage, workshop, office or private bar to contain objects with genuine age rather than modern reproductions.
And the advertising is outstanding.
One side bears the early Dodge diamond logo and the slogan:
DODGE
Everything for the
Mechanical Transmission
of Power
Turn the crate around and the opposite side presents an entirely different Dodge message:
DODGE
The Right Drive
for Every Job
That combination gives the crate tremendous display versatility. Either side can face outward, and both unmistakably announce its Dodge heritage.
Dodge Manufacturing Company of Mishawaka, Indiana was a major American manufacturer of mechanical power-transmission equipment. Period advertising documents Dodge's use of the phrase “Everything for the Mechanical Transmission of Power” by the early 20th century, supporting an estimated circa date of approximately 1910–1925 for this crate.
This is Dodge Manufacturing Company, the historic industrial power-transmission manufacturer, rather than a Dodge Brothers automobile shipping crate. For today's collector, however, the bold DODGE graphics give it obvious crossover appeal for a thoughtfully designed Dodge-themed garage or private automotive collection.
What makes this example particularly compelling is how much of its utilitarian construction remains.
This was not created as advertising decor. It was built to work. Heavy wooden interior blocking appears to have secured the original industrial component during shipment. Wire runs around and through the wooden boards. The irregular lid, aged boards, oxidized metal and surviving remnants from its working life tell the story of an object that performed an actual job before anyone thought to preserve it.
That authenticity is precisely its decorative strength.
Place it on a substantial workbench beneath carefully collected automotive signage. Display it on open shelving beside early tools and industrial artifacts. Use it as the centerpiece of a luxury garage, private car collection, masculine office or collector's retreat.
In a room filled with beautiful automobiles and polished finishes, an untouched piece of early American industry provides contrast that a reproduction simply cannot duplicate.
MEASUREMENTS
Length: Approximately 20"
Width: Approximately 10"
Height: Approximately 11"
MANUFACTURER
Dodge Manufacturing Company
Mishawaka, Indiana
ESTIMATED AGE
Estimated Circa: 1910–1925
The dating is an informed estimate based upon the Dodge branding, documented period advertising language, construction and characteristics of the crate. An exact manufacturing or shipping date has not been established.
COLLECTOR & DECORATIVE APPEAL
The combination of substantial size, early industrial construction, two different advertising faces and highly recognizable DODGE lettering makes this especially well suited to a sophisticated masculine interior.
It would be particularly at home in a:
Luxury automobile garage • Dodge collection • Private workshop • Collector's office • Industrial loft • Home bar • Game room • Library • Automotive showroom • Vintage tool collection
Its 20-inch length gives it enough presence to command attention without being so large that displaying it becomes difficult.
No restoration has been undertaken to make this antique appear new. Its aged wood, old wire, stains, wear and construction irregularities are integral to its appearance and history. Antique industrial objects naturally exhibit evidence of age and previous use, and those characteristics should be expected.
PLEASE NOTE: The first image of this listing is AI-generated and is provided for styling inspiration only. Please refer to the actual item photographs for the crate's exact appearance, color, proportions, construction and condition. Furniture, vehicles, signs, tools, accessories and other decorative objects appearing in the staged lifestyle image are not included with the purchase.
RETURNS
Returns may be requested within 7 days of confirmed delivery.
For returns based on taste, expectations or change of mind, the buyer is responsible for the original shipping cost and return shipping. The item must be returned in the same condition in which it was received.
If the item arrives damaged or is materially different from its description, please contact us promptly so the issue can be addressed appropriately.
This is an authentic older object whose individual wear, construction and surviving advertising are inseparable from its appeal. For the collector building a garage or private space around genuine American industrial character, it offers something newly manufactured decor cannot: the real thing.
