n.a rigid, one-piece box that lies flat when open and has a lid with latches for a tight, secure closureMaberly 1844, 107–108A solander is a wooden box, backed with leather, the sides covered with marble or other paper, having leather corners, so that it has much the appearance of a book; one of the sides is made to open as a lid, carrying with it the back, which is attached to it; the same thing, in short, which is still in use, of a less size, for holding music or pamphlets. The advantage of the solander is, that the prints need never be pressed, strongly, one against another, as in the tying tight of a portfolio; the mounting-papers have liberty to lie level, and their edges and corners are better protected.Keely 1986, 102–103Perhaps the oldest and most distinguished of the double-tray designs is the Solander box. This box was invented by Daniel Charles Solander for the purpose of preserving botanical specimens, but was later adapted for the storage of books. The Solander box is a carefully made box with a lid shell hinged at the spine (see Figure 13). When the box is closed the shells form a tight seal at the joint, head, tail, and fore-edge. The height of the lid shell should be approximately half of the height of the base shell measured at the spine of the book. The head and tail walls of the base shell are the same height except at the spine edge where the walls are the measured height of both shells combined. There is an interior border that measures the same as the base shell at the spine that extends completely around the four walls of the base shell creating an air-tight and water-tight seal when the box is closed.Wise, Granowski, and Gourley 2005, 55Results of the 2002 survey indicated that the Solander box design favoured by Australian institutions comprises a wooden lid and base constructed with woodworking adhesive such as polyvinyl acetate (PVA) and polyethylene/vinyl acetate (EVA), or nails and staples. The woods used include Hoop pine, Radiata pine, Western Red cedar and various types and grades of plywood. These woods and wood products can be sealed with a range of coatings including neutral pH polyester resins and various polyurethane finishes. ¶ Modern boxes are usually lined internally with acid-free, buffered papers, occasionally incorporating molecular traps, such as MicroChamber paper, and have an exterior covering of book cloth to hinge the lid and base together. Vinyl (PVC) or pyroxylin (cellulose nitrate) impregnated book cloth are both commonly encountered, often with canvas reinforcements along the hinge. Generally the inner paper lining and exterior book cloth are entirely adhered to the wooden box with either EVA or PVA.Cain 2023, 164Solander, too, both invented and gave his name to a particular type of file box, the Solander box, which to this day is used as a storage container for loose or delicate archival items, from print documents and rare books, to loose papers, objects and maps (Caldararo 1993). A hinged file box made of durable wood, cardboard or paperboard, a Solander box is sturdy enough to be stored either on end or in stacks.
