Yes -- from the size description, most likely a sewing basket. And most likely, made out of split oak or ash. But without a pic --I can't tell you anymore.

Basket values are based on condition, paint (orginal or later?) and style.

Definitly need pictures....and please include a picture of the inside of the l;id.
It well may be older than 1908..and was lined or relined at that time.
Was there any significance in the newspaper?
Linda C

First time I'm trying to post a photo so lets see if it works.

This is one side of basket:

This is other side of basket:

This shows the lid interior (with lining) and basket interior:

Hoping with the pictures you can tell me more about the basket.

Almost forgot ... no significance that I remember of the newspaper or significant event in the paper but I was a child back then. It think it was more to even the bottom surface of the basket and maybe protect the fabric from catching on the wood.

Baskets are hard to date....because every basket is hand made. There is no machine that will weave a basket. And, baskets have been made the same way for at least a couple of hundred years.
Your basket is of split oak or ash as Clink suggested. Nothing I can see suggests any particular time period as for the way the basket is made. It appears that the painting was added, perhaps by the person who added the lining to make it into a sweing basket.
Likely the date of the newspaper was a good guess, and the painting looks very un professional and primitive.
Value? What someone will pay. I have seen similar items get the knock for as little as $15 and also seen things like that where the asking price was well over $100.
It is likely worth a lot more to you that it would be to any stranger as just a nice old basket. It was your grandmother's sewing basket.
Linda C

Linda -- What do you think about the painting?? Definitely done later -- maybe late 30's??? A little something to brighten the sewing box.

The lid looks a little unusual -- but every "artist" had a different style -- its the rim that looks unusual. A nailed band??? I don't see reed around it.

I agree - value is tough -- depends on the crowd. Condition and the quality of paint (I'm not a huge fan of decorative painted baskets) would keep me away from it. But its a nice shape -- condition is ok -- Ok workmanship -- splint quality looks nice and even. It would never bring as much on auction as knowing that you have Grandma's sewing basket.

Cathy

Painting? I suspect the basket had been in use before being painted...and I also suspect that the lid has been attached and the reed/splints have broken away.
What puzzles me is that the view of the inside of the baskes seems to show what looks like splints that were painted before being woven.
Waddya think? Strange? Was it repaired? Or was some of the basket made with painted splines?
Linda C

No -- I don't think so -- if you look at the uprights on pic number 2 -- you can see the red changing to black on one upright in the center.

Besides -- spline does not lay flat well until soaked -- and then you can't paint it. I think it was painted later -- like they painted old furniture in the Depression so it looked "new" or different.

The top might be a repair -- I'd have to handle it and really see it tell.

Cathy

"they painted old furniture in the Depression so it looked "new" or different. "
And I have removed a huge amount of that paint....very often green! LOL!
Linda C

Wish I could be of help in dating your basket but just wanted to tell you I think it's wonderful.I am a big fan of old paint and I think the primitive looking flowers have so much charm. If I had it in my house I would have it sitting on a straight chair with a old quilt over the back of the chair.
Enjoy it.....
Lois