Antique Tin Despatch Box by Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons, Mooltan – Colonial Office

This is a fascinating piece — the maker’s badge gives it a lovely bit of historical depth. The label clearly reads “Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons – Tin Despatch Box Manufacturers – Mooltan.” That places it firmly in the context of British India / colonial trade networks, which makes it far more interesting than a typical storage tin.

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Displayed with other items illustration only for sale separately

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Antique Tin ( known as toleware )Despatch Box by Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons, Mooltan – Colonial Office Storage Chest

A wonderfully atmospheric antique tin despatch box, made by Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons of Mooltan, a historic manufacturer known for producing durable metal containers used across British India for the secure storage and transportation of documents.

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Constructed from heavy-gauge tinplate, this oval box features a hinged lid, a central carry handle, and a sturdy clasp closure. The original maker’s badge remains on the front reading:

“Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons – Tin Despatch Box Manufacturers – Mooltan.”

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Boxes of this type were commonly used during the late 19th and early 20th centuries by administrators, traders, and civil servants to transport important papers, legal documents, or correspondence across long distances. Their robust construction protected contents from humidity, insects, and the rigours of travel.

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The interior retains a warm patinated finish, while the exterior has developed a beautifully worn industrial surface — a combination of oxidised metal, historic paint remnants, and honest age wear that gives the piece real character.

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Today, it makes a striking decorative storage piece or industrial antique display object, perfect for collectors of colonial history, vintage office items, or unique storage boxes.

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Maker History

Allybhoy Vullijee & Sons operated in Mooltan (now Multan, Pakistan) during the late 19th and early 20th centuries. Multan was an important trading centre within British India, known for craft industries and metalworking. Manufacturers like Vullijee & Sons produced practical metal goods such as dispatch boxes, document tins, and storage containers used by government offices, merchants, and travellers throughout the region.

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Surviving pieces bearing their maker’s badge are relatively uncommon and offer a tangible link to the administrative and commercial infrastructure of the colonial period.

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Dimensions

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Condition

Good antique condition with age-related wear including surface patina, paint loss, and historic marks consistent with age and use. The hinge and clasp remain functional.

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Why We Love It

This piece carries the quiet romance of travel and administration from another era — one can easily imagine it packed with letters, ledgers, and official papers crossing dusty trade routes or railway lines.