One boxed set of watercolor paints, untitled, manufactured by Thomas Reeves and Sons, ca. 1781. The set is comprised of 12 embossed cakes of watercolor paint within a wooden box with a sliding lid. The paints are each within a wooden divider, and are labeled with printed paper labels. The two rows of paint cakes occupy two-thirds of the box; the remaining third is (presumably) for storing paintbrushes. Affixed to the bottom of this third is a printed affadavit which reads: "Society for the Encouragement of Arts, manufacture and Commerce, Adelphi, May 1781. Gentlemen, I am desired by the Society to return you their thanks for the obliging present you have been pleased to make to them of Box of Colours prepared by you for the use of painters in watercolours an art so well adapted to the purpose of forwarding that [?] of polite arts could not fail of being acceptable to the society. Thos. Reeves and Son, Colour manufacturer to Her Majesty and His Royal Highness the Prince of Wales. I am Gentlemen, your most obedient humble servant. Sam'l Moore, Secretary." The cakes of paint are embossed with a shield and the name of the color. This is the oldest paint box in the collection, and was acquired by DK in Springfield, MA at an Ephemera/Antiques Fair, ca. 1994.