Packaging, box lid

Cardboard box lid with metal staples. Part of a box used for storing artificial flowers. On the box lid is printed 'From Mr J.A. Groom's/Industrial Training Homes for Afflicted Blind and Crippled Girls. The Crippleage, Sekforde Street, London, E.C. The Crippleage/Regd These Homes Accommodate 200 Afflicted Girls Who are Efficiently Trained to earn their living by Artificial Flower Making Address: Trade Manager, as above'. The lid also carries a partial ink stamp.

The Crippleage was established in 1866 by John Groom as the Watercress and Flower Girls' Mission to provide assistance for disabled watercress sellers and flower sellers. Artificial flower making was introduced as a suitable form of training and employment for the girls from 1879. By 1908 over 250 girls worked at the Sekforde Road factory.