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This collection brings together museum grade historical objects prepared for visual storytelling. Rooted in Detroit’s industrial and domestic past, each artifact is curated within a larger material system and preserved for camera ready use. Objects are available for editorial, stage, film, and institutional loan, offering authenticity that cannot be replicated.
Mid-20th Century
Student Microscope
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research, or approved placement. Student Microscope Science Cabinet Set United States Circa 1940s Wood, brass, steel, glass, and painted metal Dating and Attribution This student microscope cabinet set dates to the 1940s and represents the growing emphasis on science education during the middle of the twentieth century. The cabinet design, brass hardware, compact microscope, and organized storage sy
M2 Ammunition Vest
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on military logistics, Cold War military equipment, training operations, civil defense history, or approved placement. M2 Ammunition Vest United States Military United States c. 1940s–1970s Olive drab coated canvas, cotton cord drawstring, reinforced stitching, military stencil markings Marked: "FRONT" and "AMMUNITION BAG M2" Dating & Attribution This object is identified as an M2 Ammunitio
Worker Gloves
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on labor history, industrial safety, or approved placement. Worker’s Gloves Worker Gloves United States c. 1940s–1960s Leather, cotton knit (ribbed cuff), thread stitching Dating These gloves are best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1940s–1960s , based on their construction and materials. The combination of split or grain leather palms with extended ribbed knit cuffs became espe
U.S. Military Tool Box - Plumbing
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on mid-twentieth-century military logistics and material culture, or approved placement. Plumbing Tool Chest (Harbor Craft) United States, c. 1940–1955 Painted wood chest, stenciled identification markings, metal latch hardware, turned wood handle Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a mid-twentieth-century military plumbing tool chest , dating approximately to circa 1940–1955
Durabilt Travel Iron
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, domestic technology study, or mid-century consumer innovation interpretation. Durabilt “A.C.–D.C. Companion” Travel Iron United States c. 1940s (with replacement electrical cord, c. 1960s) Chrome-plated metal, plastic (handle), electrical components, replacement cord, leatherette case, textile cloth Dating and Identification This compact electric iron is identified by the stamped marking “Durabilt A.C.–D.C. Companion” o
Armour Quality Products Wooden Toy Bank
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, toy history study, or mid-century consumer culture interpretation. “Armour Quality Products” Wooden Toy Bank United States c. 1950s Wood, printed ink, rubber stopper Dating and Identification This wooden toy bank is identifiable through the printed inscription “Armour Quality Products,” prominently displayed within an oval decorative frame on the side of the vehicle. The phrase is associated with Armour and Company, a
Stamps Saver Books and Stamp Sheets
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, consumer culture study, or mid-century retail history interpretation. S&H Green Stamps Saver Books and Stamp Sheets United States c. late 1950s–mid 1960s Printed paper ephemera Dating and Identification This group of saver books and loose stamp sheets can be dated to the late 1950s through the mid-1960s , based on branding, typography, and imagery associated with the Sperry & Hutchinson Company (S&H). Several visual clu
Taylor Meat and Poultry Thermometer
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or domestic material culture interpretation. Taylor Roast Meat and Poultry Thermometer (Complete Set with Box and Insert) United States c. 1940s–1950s Metal, glass, printed paper, and cardboard Dating This example can be dated to the mid-twentieth century, most likely the 1940s to early 1950s , based on a combination of manufacturing details, company identification, and graphic design. The label id
Pyrex “Butterprint” Bowl Set
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, or decorative arts interpretation. Pyrex “Butterprint” Cinderella Bowl Set (Three-Piece Group) United States, Corning Glass Works c. 1957–1968 Opal (milk) glass with screen-printed enamel decoration Dating This set dates to the late 1950s through the 1960s , a period when Pyrex expanded beyond utilitarian kitchenware into highly stylized, mass-marketed consumer goods. The “Butterprint” pattern , int
Wood Recipe Holder
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on domestic culinary practices, or approved placement. Wooden Recipe Stand with Ring-Bound Recipe Cards United States, c. 1940–1970 Wood, metal rings, paper recipe cards, mixed handwritten and printed content Dating & Attribution This object is a wooden countertop recipe stand with ring-bound recipe cards , dating approximately to the mid-20th century (c. 1940–1970) . The construction (tur
Willson Welding Goggles
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on industrial safety, occupational health, or approved placement. Willson Welding Goggles United States c. 1930s–1950s Plastic (early polymer), glass lenses, elastic or fabric strap, metal fittings Dating These goggles are best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1930s–1950s , based on their materials and form. The use of molded plastic frames, rather than earlier leather or metal-on
General Electric Employee ID Tag
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on labor history, corporate identity systems, or approved placement . GE Employee Identification Tag United States c. 1940s–1950s Metal, paper photograph, celluloid or plastic covering, metal ball chain Dating This identification tag is best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1940s–1950s , based on its materials, photographic style, and construction. The small circular format with a
Worker's Lunch Pale and Universal Thermos
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on industrial labor, working-class daily life, or approved placement. Worker’s Lunch Pail with Thermos United States c. 1940s–1960s Painted steel, aluminum, glass vacuum bottle (interior), plastic, enamel coating Dating This lunch pail and accompanying thermos are best dated to the mid-twentieth century, circa 1940s–1960s , based on their materials and construction. The pressed steel body
Carpenter MFG Light
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on mid-twentieth-century industrial lighting systems and safety equipment, or approved placement. Carpenter-Light Industrial Signal Lamp Manufactured by Carpenter Mfg. Co., Boston, Massachusetts United States, c. 1950–1970 Cast metal base, red ribbed glass dome lens, wired electrical assembly, riveted manufacturer plate Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Carpenter-Light ind
Johnson & Johnson First Aid Autokit
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on domestic medical preparedness, automotive safety culture, or approved placement. First Aid Autokit United States c. 1930s–1950s Painted metal tin, paper booklet, paper-wrapped gauze and bandages, glass bottles, plastic screw caps, mercurochrome antiseptic Dating & Attribution This object is identified as a Johnson & Johnson First Aid Autokit , a compact automobile first aid kit made in
Bausch Lomb Tripod Magnifier
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on optical instruments and scientific education, or approved placement. Bausch & Lomb Tripod Magnifier United States: Rochester, New York c. 1930-1940s Object Description and Dating This object is a tripod magnifier manufactured by Bausch & Lomb , an American optical company central to the development of precision lenses and scientific instruments in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
American Red Cross Press Photograph
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, research on mid-century relief coordination systems, or approved placement. American Red Cross Press Photograph “General View of Operations at Red Cross” Detroit News Staff Photograph, March 7, 1958 Object Description and Dating This object is a press photograph documenting American Red Cross operations , stamped on the reverse with Detroit News staff markings and dated March 7, 1958 . The handwri
Esquire Shoe Care Chest
Status: Available for Loan Consideration for exhibition, institutional study, design history research, or approved placement. Esquire Shoe Care Chest (with Brushes and Polish) United States, c. 1948–1958 Stained wood case with printed label, horsehair brushes, cotton polishing cloth, metal tin polish Note: Missing one original dauber (dobber); otherwise complete. Dating & Attribution This object is identified as an Esquire Shoe Care Chest , manufactured in the United States
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