Hollowell Machinist Cabinet

[SANDERSON]

G'Day, I have just acquired a Hollowell Machinist Cabinet. It is in decent condition, but I don't know if everything is original to the case as it was obviously well used. I've GOOGLED the name on the cabinet crest "HOLLOWELL CABINETS, 59 Harvie Ave. Toronto Canada". I cannot find any reference. The only posting I can see here, was Post # 4962 01 Aug 2016 by Mike PAXTON. It references the company, but no other information. If anyone has any history on the company or knows where I might acquire it, I would be grateful. Thanks......Joe........ " but I cannot find any history on the company. It appears that address is now residential.

 

[SANDERSON]

Just for interest sake, by accessing online Toronto Ontario street directories, I believe I have dated the box to 1936 - 1942. Still can't find any other reference.

 

[nickelTwin]

Wow
That's really nice.
I have been wanting a wood cabinet like that, just haven't come across on in good shape at a price that I want to spend.

seem like they used to pop up more often in the past

 

[SANDERSON]

Refurbished.

 

[LXCam]

That turned out great!

 

[Jayman17]

Wow, you aren't kidding, fantastic job on that restoration!

 

[lilredex]

Very nice work on that restoration. You're right, not much info on Hallowell. Seems I looked before, in the past. In 1981 I lived close by Harvie Ave. and I'm sure they were long gone by then.

HOLLOWELL CABINETS, Toronto, ON. ANTIQUE MACHINIST TOOL BOX CHEST WOOD CABINET | #1874294531

Hollowell Cabinets Machinist Tool Box (chest)Wood Tool Box Manufactured by Hollowell Cabinets 56 Harvie Ave. Toronto, Canada.Pre-Owned but in Fair condition with signs of use. Chest is missing its fro

www.worthpoint.com

 

[alfadan]

Wow that's nice!

 

[yhprum]

Any chance it’s these guys? Been around since 1903 it says.

About | Hallowell

www.hallowell-list.com

 

[SANDERSON]

Thanks for everyones feedback.
"Hallowell" is a different company for sure.
As I indicated earlier, the Toronto street directory from the 1936 to 1942 lists the address at 56 Harvie, and the directories back then listed the occupants by name and business, trade or career. Hollowell is listed by name the first time in 1936. By 1937 he is listed as a carpenter. In 1938 he is a cabinet maker. BY 1942 the name is gone not only from 56 Harvie, but the entire Toronto directory. Of course this was during WW2 and one could speculate he may have served in the war and perhaps perished. All speculation.
I hadn't seen that cabinet You posted LILREDEX. Interesting it has different drawer handles than mine.
Thanks for everyones input.............very much appreciated............Joe..........

 

[rancherbill]

Any chance it’s these guys? Been around since 1903 it says.

About | Hallowell

www.hallowell-list.com

It could be. Before NAFTA many companies had a Canadian operation. It also might be explained that they opened IN Canada for war manufacturing.

 

[ecotec]

It could be. Before NAFTA many companies had a Canadian operation. It also might be explained that they opened IN Canada for war manufacturing.

Now Canada has Gearwrench GMTKs… they don’t seem to be worried about buying locally.

 

[Zeus36]

Beautiful!

 

[SANDERSON]

The search continues...........Joe..........

 

[rancherbill]

Now Canada has Gearwrench GMTKs… they don’t seem to be worried about buying locally.

I am not sure what you are getting at. Gearwrench GMTKs are made in the US. They show as being $8,000 bucks. When Nafta came in US companies fucked off to the US and and decided they could provide ****** service cross border and that people would continue to buy. It left a bad taste in man exy peoples mouths. European, Japanese and Chinese filled the gap. Products from these export oriented companies was of high quality. When was the last time you heard of any US company talking about getting new export business?

 

[SANDERSON]

Next Project.........

 

[SANDERSON]

G'Day again, As previously discussed in this thread, the HOLLOWELL CABINETS name is somewhat obscure and apparently originated in Toronto Ontario Canada about 1936 at 59 Harvie Avenue.
I have recently come across an auction post from a couple years ago in the Toronto area, where a HOLLOW chest was auctioned, and the name plate was HOLLOWEL CABINETS, Richmond Hill. I suspect that the Hollowell Cabinets from Toronto moved to Richmond Hill at some point. As the Toronto directory has no HOLLOWELL name by 1942, the move would have likely occurred about that time I suppose. Richmond HIll is located north of Toronto. It was not designated as a town until 1957 so this would have been a very rural community in 1942. Richmond Hill is now considered part of the Greater Toronto Area (GTA) and has been designated a city since 2019 with a still expanding population of over 202,000. I cannot find an old street directory for Richmond Hill from that period so cannot nail down an address at this time, or any further history. I'm posting this so that if the name comes up in the future, another inquiring mind will have some place to start and might be able to contribute....................Thanks...............Joe...........

 

[2oolhound]

Nice work Joe! Those are great looking boxes. I hope there's more out there. Thanks for posting.