…………….Another collection that Jac and I shared a love for were…….BOXES and TEA CADDIES……They are a wonderful addition in the Green Library……Whenever we went into an antique store, and happened upon one that we loved we purchased it to add to our collection…..They also made the perfect CHRISTMAS PRESENTS for each other!………….Our collection consists of antique TORTOISE English tea caddies and antique English wood tea caddies, with beautiful and many times elaborate inlay work…..Many are trimmed with ivory or silver….The boxes come in many different sizes and shapes, and COLORS……I particularly LOVE the GREEN TORTOISE tea caddy and box……the picture at the upper left. The photo does not do them justice because they look more brown than green, but the green is the predominate color…..There used to be a wonderful woman in New Canaan, Ct. who owned a store that had the most incredible, exquisite English antiques. Her taste and selections were flawless…..Over the years Jac and I purchased many things from her. Her tea caddies and boxes were amazing….I bought the green tortoise ones from her. They were rare and cost much more than the other tortoise ones, so when I wanted to buy more, like a kid in a candy store!…..Jac stopped me!!!! She would say to me…”Louis, take yourself in hand!” When she called me LOUIS, I knew she was serious!!!….I did realize I was being extremely extravagant wanting these green tortoise boxes, but I always regretted not buying them. Every time we went into the store I would look for the green tortoise, but they sold very quickly to collectors…..They have since more than tripled in value!….This wonderful lady retired. It was a sad day when she closed her beautiful shop….The wooden PEAR tea caddy is also a favorite of mine, and in the times they were made…they were very popular. Today it is very difficult to find ones in excellent condition. They have been reproduced, but they lack the patina that only the old ones can have….Another of my favorites is the QUILL BOX….center photo…..It was and is very special to Jac and myself, because it was a gift from a very very dear friend, Richard…..Richard was a very talented designer who had his own business. When it closed I hired Richard to join the Anne Klein 11 design team. He worked for me for three years, but became sick, and passed away form Aids many years ago……Gone too too soon…..Every time I look at the box I see and hear sweet Richard…..a truly beautiful person…..It’s a room full of wonderful memories.