An even better URL on the history of pick-up sticks:

http://www.onelang.com/encyclopedia/index.php/Pick-up_Sticks
  ----- Original Message ----- 
  From: Erin McGough 
  To: [log in to unmask] 
  Sent: Friday, September 30, 2005 3:21 PM
  Subject: identification of a household item


  Hello 



  I am hoping someone can help identify the item I describe below. If necessary, I can send a picture. Thank you!



  It is a fairly simple, long, dark wood box, measuring 24 1/4" x 4 7/8" x 3 7/8. The box has a cover that slides off and on; the wooden cover is beveled on two sides and one end is notched to form a handle. Inside there are 40 wooden sticks of various lengths, 20 1/4" - 23" long and about 3/8" thick. Each stick is tapered at each end. There is an inscription on the box indicating a date of about 1760. The item was given a number that associates a household use but I am afraid that knowledge of the use has been lost over the years. 



  Does it sound familiar to anyone?



  Erin McGough

  Registrar and Collections Manager

  Concord Museum

  200 Lexington Rd. 

  P.O. Box 146

  Concord, MA 01742-0146

  Tel: (978) 369-9763

  Fax: (978) 369-9660

  www.concordmuseum.org



  David Sibley's Birds
  June 24, 2005 - January 1, 2006





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