Antique “The Leader File” — The Leadville Elks Building Association
Leadville, Colorado
Offered here is a large original antique “The Leader File” invoice/document filing system bearing an original spine label for:
THE LEADVILLE ELKS
BUILDING ASSOCIATION
Above the label, the spine is printed “THE LEADER FILE.”
At the bottom is a patent notation reading:
“Patented April 7th, 1885.”
Please note that 1885 is the patent date of the filing system and is not being represented as the date this particular Leadville Elks file was put into service. The “18” portion of the printed year has been lost from wear/damage to the spine, while the remaining portion is visible.
Interior
Opening the file reveals an original printed “THE LEADER FILE – INVOICE SIZE” filing section along with alphabetical A–Z index tabs.
The interior paper filing components are currently loose.
Also included are two loose metal retaining rods/components that were found inside the file. These appear to have been part of the original filing/retaining mechanism. They are included exactly as found and have not been reinstalled.
The exterior has a blue/tan marbled-paper covering with a brown spine and the original Leadville Elks Building Association label.
Provenance / Collection Association
This file came from the same group of historic Leadville, Colorado material containing George W. Casey papers and other early Leadville documents and ephemera that I have been offering separately.
Other material from the group included documents involving early Leadville businesses, individuals and organizations. This listing is for the Leader File and its loose components only; the George W. Casey papers and other documents shown or offered in my other listings are not included.
This is the final piece from this Leadville/George W. Casey collection that I am offering for sale.
Condition
This is an antique working office file that has survived extensive use and storage and is being sold as found.
Expect substantial wear including:
- Heavy exterior rubbing and surface wear
- Edge and corner losses
- Tears and deterioration to the covering
- Soiling, staining and discoloration
- Wear and losses to the spine
- Worn original paper label
- Loose interior paper/file components
- Loose original metal components
- General deterioration consistent with considerable age and use
Nothing has been restored or repaired for this sale.
Please examine all photographs, including the close-ups and measurement photographs. They are an important part of the condition description.
The file is large and relatively heavy. It will be carefully packed with padding to protect it during shipment.
An unusual surviving piece of Leadville, Colorado history with direct identification to The Leadville Elks Building Association, as well as an interesting example of an early patented American office filing system
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