Pg 32 - Union Tool Box Co.

Union Tool Box Co., Rochester, NY. 1907 – 1912

In 2020, a member of the Ohio Tool Collectors Association sent me a 1907 advertisement for the Union Tool Box Co. I had seen the name only once before. It was at the bottom of a 1910 ad for Union Tool Chest Works that stated “This is NOT the Union Tool Box Co.” I wondered at the time about that statement and thought maybe they were a competitor to Works or a pre-Works company. After further historical research I discovered that they were a pre-Works company.

Harry Booth and younger brother Fred, both machinist’s, had formed the Union Tool Box Co. in 1906 or 1907, manufacturing and selling (4) different versions of “The Gem Machinists’ Tool Chest” (which were actually cases). In 1909 the brothers dissolved the Box Co. Each went their own ways.

Fred started the Union Cabinet Co. in 1909, still offering the same products. He folded that in 1912 and went into selling bicycles. I do not include this company in ‘The’ Guide because their products were identical to Union Tool Box Co. and apparently used the same Box nameplate. Therefore, they are included in the Union Tool Box Co. listings. Nobody can tell them apart.

Harry E. C. Booth formed the Union Tool Chest Works in 1909, with his father, also a machinist and a cabinetmaker.

A refinished Union Tool Box Co. No. 7