highly sought after early 1880's antique american ornamental cast iron exterior entrance door "papers" mail slot likely fabricated by p. & f corbin or the russell & erwin mfg. co. the 19th century victorian era oversized mail slot was likely salvaged from the front door on a residential or commercial building front door. the slot contains a mostly uniform brushed metal finish sealed with a clear coat lacquer. the ornamental floral border is exceptionally designed. the spring-loaded hinged flat containing the embossed lettering remains in working condition. philip corbin was born in 1824 in willington, connecticut. in 1844 corbin began to work for the matteson, russell & erwin company, where he acquired the necessary factory skills to advance in the hardware industry. in the fall of the same year, corbin worked for henry andrews, who had secured a contract to make locks for north & stanley. at the henry andrews company corbin apprenticed and learned the art of lock making. later he obtained a contract for himself with north and stanley, and corbin's brother frank joined him in new britain to form p&f corbin in 1848. the first items produced at the factory were ox balls for the horns of oxen and steer. a year later henry whiting bought interest in the company and the firm became known as corbin, whiting and company. by 1851 the brothers had purchased whiting's interest and the name was changed for the final time to p&f corbin company.