A rare and wonderfully timeworn antique advertising box, ingeniously constructed to resemble a large leather-bound book.
Made for Francisco Romero & Cie, agricultural produce merchants associated with Valencia, Spain, the box features beautifully aged French-language advertising, an agricultural landscape and an original internal trade label decorated with the flags of Spain and France.
This is not a modern reproduction. It is an authentic early-20th-century commercial box, probably produced to hold samples, catalogues, documents or other trade materials. Closed and displayed upright, it has the convincing appearance of an oversized antique volume; open it to reveal a generous turquoise-blue paper-lined compartment.
A highly decorative piece of Spanish and French commercial history, ideal for a country-house interior, antique shop display, library shelf or distinctive concealed storage.
THE DETAILS
* Authentic antique faux-book advertising box
* Francisco Romero & Cie
* Valencia, Spain
* French-language export advertising
* Original printed agricultural landscape
* Decorative border and book-style spine
* Original Spanish and French flag label inside
* Address shown on label: C. Pelayo 7, Valencia, España
* Thick card or compressed board construction
* Cloth-covered spine
* Turquoise-blue paper-lined interior
* Hinged book-form lid
* Original metal clasp marked “Romero”
* Estimated date: circa 1900–1920
APPROXIMATE SIZE
* Height: 34 cm / 13⅜ in
* Width: 21 cm / 8¼ in
* Depth: 11 cm / 4⅜ in
Please allow for minor variation in these measurements.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
The front cover reads “Produits de la Colonie Agricole” and carries the name Francisco Romero & Cie above an atmospheric illustration of cultivated land, orchards and agricultural buildings.
Inside is a striking original printed label with Spanish and French flags, a map device and the wording “Valencia España”. Together with the French wording on the exterior, this strongly suggests that the box was connected with agricultural export trade between Spain and France.
Picassent, a town in the province of Valencia whose name appears to be represented in the worn cover text, has long been associated with agricultural production. The precise original contents and purpose of the box are no longer known, although its construction suggests that it may have carried trade samples, catalogues or company documents.
No dependable public company archive has been located, making the surviving box and its original labels particularly interesting pieces of commercial ephemera.
CONDITION
This antique box is in characterfully worn condition, with substantial age-related wear consistent with its commercial origins and estimated age.
There is fading, staining, rubbing and surface wear to the printed decoration. The front has a prominent vertical split through the paper covering and underlying board. The corners and edges are scuffed and softened, and the cloth spine is faded and worn.
Inside, the turquoise paper lining has tears, lifting, staining and areas of loss. The original printed label is creased, cracked and marked. There are also old pin or tack holes and general signs of historic use.
The metal clasp remains present, and the box opens and closes. Its imperfections form an important part of its authentic, untouched appearance. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
This is a superb piece for adding depth and history to a room. Display it upright among genuine antique books, lay it flat beneath a small lamp or decorative object, or leave it slightly open to reveal the vivid turquoise interior.
It would work beautifully in a library, study, hallway or country-house sitting room. The concealed compartment is useful for storing letters, photographs, keepsakes or television controls.
The dried flowers and other styling accessories shown in the photographs are not included.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced in France and selected for its beautiful typography, faded colour, unusual construction and wonderfully authentic wear. Pieces like this bring individuality and a genuine sense of history to an interior.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
See more French finds, brocante visits and behind-the-scenes sourcing on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading
DELIVERY
Your order will be carefully wrapped and dispatched within 48 hours.
International delivery is available. Buyers are responsible for any local import duties or taxes, except for orders to the United States, where applicable postage and import charges are included in the displayed US price through Etsy and Royal Mail’s Delivered Duties Paid service.
Genuine antiques over 100 years old may qualify for reduced or exempt import duties in many countries, subject to local customs rules.
If delivery is not shown for your country, or you would like to combine several purchases, please contact me through Etsy or at:
[polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk](mailto:polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk)
RETURNS
Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. For change-of-mind returns, the buyer is responsible for return postage.
The item must be returned in its original condition and securely packaged. Any loss in value resulting from damage or handling beyond what is necessary to inspect the item may be deducted from the refund.
Made for Francisco Romero & Cie, agricultural produce merchants associated with Valencia, Spain, the box features beautifully aged French-language advertising, an agricultural landscape and an original internal trade label decorated with the flags of Spain and France.
This is not a modern reproduction. It is an authentic early-20th-century commercial box, probably produced to hold samples, catalogues, documents or other trade materials. Closed and displayed upright, it has the convincing appearance of an oversized antique volume; open it to reveal a generous turquoise-blue paper-lined compartment.
A highly decorative piece of Spanish and French commercial history, ideal for a country-house interior, antique shop display, library shelf or distinctive concealed storage.
THE DETAILS
* Authentic antique faux-book advertising box
* Francisco Romero & Cie
* Valencia, Spain
* French-language export advertising
* Original printed agricultural landscape
* Decorative border and book-style spine
* Original Spanish and French flag label inside
* Address shown on label: C. Pelayo 7, Valencia, España
* Thick card or compressed board construction
* Cloth-covered spine
* Turquoise-blue paper-lined interior
* Hinged book-form lid
* Original metal clasp marked “Romero”
* Estimated date: circa 1900–1920
APPROXIMATE SIZE
* Height: 34 cm / 13⅜ in
* Width: 21 cm / 8¼ in
* Depth: 11 cm / 4⅜ in
Please allow for minor variation in these measurements.
ABOUT THIS PIECE
The front cover reads “Produits de la Colonie Agricole” and carries the name Francisco Romero & Cie above an atmospheric illustration of cultivated land, orchards and agricultural buildings.
Inside is a striking original printed label with Spanish and French flags, a map device and the wording “Valencia España”. Together with the French wording on the exterior, this strongly suggests that the box was connected with agricultural export trade between Spain and France.
Picassent, a town in the province of Valencia whose name appears to be represented in the worn cover text, has long been associated with agricultural production. The precise original contents and purpose of the box are no longer known, although its construction suggests that it may have carried trade samples, catalogues or company documents.
No dependable public company archive has been located, making the surviving box and its original labels particularly interesting pieces of commercial ephemera.
CONDITION
This antique box is in characterfully worn condition, with substantial age-related wear consistent with its commercial origins and estimated age.
There is fading, staining, rubbing and surface wear to the printed decoration. The front has a prominent vertical split through the paper covering and underlying board. The corners and edges are scuffed and softened, and the cloth spine is faded and worn.
Inside, the turquoise paper lining has tears, lifting, staining and areas of loss. The original printed label is creased, cracked and marked. There are also old pin or tack holes and general signs of historic use.
The metal clasp remains present, and the box opens and closes. Its imperfections form an important part of its authentic, untouched appearance. Please study all photographs carefully, as they form part of the description.
POLLY’S STYLING NOTES
This is a superb piece for adding depth and history to a room. Display it upright among genuine antique books, lay it flat beneath a small lamp or decorative object, or leave it slightly open to reveal the vivid turquoise interior.
It would work beautifully in a library, study, hallway or country-house sitting room. The concealed compartment is useful for storing letters, photographs, keepsakes or television controls.
The dried flowers and other styling accessories shown in the photographs are not included.
SOURCED BY POLLY
Personally sourced in France and selected for its beautiful typography, faded colour, unusual construction and wonderfully authentic wear. Pieces like this bring individuality and a genuine sense of history to an interior.
COME ANTIQUING WITH ME
See more French finds, brocante visits and behind-the-scenes sourcing on YouTube:
https://www.youtube.com/@frenchgeneraltrading
DELIVERY
Your order will be carefully wrapped and dispatched within 48 hours.
International delivery is available. Buyers are responsible for any local import duties or taxes, except for orders to the United States, where applicable postage and import charges are included in the displayed US price through Etsy and Royal Mail’s Delivered Duties Paid service.
Genuine antiques over 100 years old may qualify for reduced or exempt import duties in many countries, subject to local customs rules.
If delivery is not shown for your country, or you would like to combine several purchases, please contact me through Etsy or at:
[polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk](mailto:polly@frenchgeneraltrading.co.uk)
RETURNS
Returns are accepted within 14 days of delivery. For change-of-mind returns, the buyer is responsible for return postage.
The item must be returned in its original condition and securely packaged. Any loss in value resulting from damage or handling beyond what is necessary to inspect the item may be deducted from the refund.