The earliest version of this type of drawer box I could find with the end of the box hinged was one by Thayer mentioned in Dr. Albo’s Vol. XI – Laboratories of Legerdemain (pg. 85) with a date c. 1910. The first catalog listing I could find was in Thayer’s Catalog 9 Volume 2 c. 1943. There it was called Thayer’s Ultra De Luxe Drawer Box. However, this box is not quite the same as the drawer itself does not lock. An Owen’s version was also pictured in Dr. Albo’s Classic Magic With Apparatus Vol. II.
This is a very pretty, interesting, and quite rare Drawer Box from Owen Magic Supreme that works perfectly. It has the added feature of the hinged open back so after the production the drawer may be placed aside, and the arm shoved completely through the box and wave to the audience at the other end.
Click here for more information.