Antique Stencil Kit w/ Indigo Blue Dyes Paris Orig Box R. Hillary Co New York

The only marking is on the inside of the box with the name R. Hillary Co., Broadway and --- Ave, New York. (I cannot make out which Avenue it is). The kit comes in a long narrow box 6 1/2" by 1 3/4", just plain white paper over cardboard. Someone has practiced stenciling on the box cover. One of the 2 stencils is on the top side and the second is on the bottom ov the box. Each copper stencil has a number.

I think originally there were 2 long bars the length of the box. There is one block of 2 pieces fused together that is 1" wide and 1 3/4" long. You can see where one end is broken off from the rest of the original bar and used. Then there are 3 broken pieces that were worn down from use. A square dye piece about 3/4" square that does not look used and the disc marked paris. There is a second disc that has fused to the bottom of the box.

I have no idea what these were used for. In addition to Sampler borders, and separations, possibly used on a small item such as a hanky that would later be embroidered, or other linens like a pillow case or table cloth.

Item ID: 1301485