Chelsea Fire Proof Storage Co. Wooden Crate — Early 20th Century New York Industrial Advertising

This handsome early 20th-century wooden storage crate comes from Chelsea Fire Proof Storage Warehouses, Inc., a historic New York City company known for its secure “fireproof” storage facilities. Boldly stenciled in black on both sides, the lettering proudly advertises the firm’s addresses at 426–434 West 26th Street, N.Y.C. and 27–33 South 6th Avenue, Mt. Vernon, N.Y. The ornate typography and decorative flourishes reflect a turn-of-the-century style typical of Manhattan’s industrial district branding.

Constructed from solid pine with sturdy metal edge banding and handhold cutouts, the crate combines practical design with classic advertising appeal. At roughly 13" high by 25.5" wide by 16" deep and weighing about 15 lbs, it remains a substantial and display-worthy piece.

Chelsea Fire Proof Storage was an operating business as early as 1912 and remained active into the 1930s, offering safe storage solutions for the city’s growing middle and upper classes. Crates like this would have transported or stored clients’ household goods — an evocative reminder of a bustling New York era when “fireproof” storage was a new luxury service.

Today, these branded crates are prized for their industrial authenticity, making ideal accent pieces for loft-style interiors, retail displays, or collectors of early 20th-century Americana and NYC commercial history.

Condition:

Good condition overall, with visible scuffing and surface wear consistent with age and use. The stenciling remains bold and legible, and the crate is sturdy and structurally sound. Metal reinforcements are intact with mild age patina.

Dimensions:

13" H × 25.5" W × 16" D
Weight: 15 lbs
Please Note: Soup for Scale in Photo