Posted 11 years ago
SherwoodTr…
(34 items)
I guess they say, when one least expects something good to come along, it comes along - and yesterday was one of those days. A phone call from a good friend and fellow trunk refinisher/collector made my day. His kids had no interest in the Oak Slat so he was happy to offer it to me. I was thrilled and of course couldn't say no to the other two trunks he offered me as well. The smaller flat top is made from Match Crates that say Buffalo Bill Matches, Diamond Matches - all this under the dried rotted canvas. Trunk came from Maine my friend told me. The other is a heavy slightly curved top, and the wood underneath is a nice light color - this trunk is HEAVY - weighing about 45 pounds empty. Original Handles and really cool hinges on the back - have only seen these once before. Unfortunately the nail or rivet on top of both those hinges is gone. I have to look at it closer to see if I need to do any work there. Ahh I just love trunks. Tons of dust on the Oak Slat - inside nice linen, but top tray broken. In my 20 years of collecting trunks, this is the fourth Oak Slat I have owned. I will enjoy it for a while (usually a year or so) - then I Find a new home for it. I think it is about the hunt - finding that hard to find piece.....
Like winning the lottery, no better. Congratulations on all three and a very good friend.
Love the oak slat trunk. I also love the hunt -- however I have been holding on to most of my trunks -- having a hard time letting them go. I do not think I would ever let go of an oak slat one... beautiful, probably excelsior? (I have an unusual oak slat on my site -- last one on the bottom of my posts)
It is funny, I can't remember some people's names but I always remember where and when I have found a particular trunk. Thanks for the comments trunkingfor fun and trunkman.
Talking about the oak slat trunk & knowing enough about their construction to be dangerous. Those rivets(?) thru the top appear to go thru between the slats. Can any of you "trunk-heads" explain where the strength comes from by doing it that way?
Being a "trunk-head" I would say that it was a miscalculation on the part of the maker. At least the end two rows should have been moved over slightly to get a better "purchase" on the wood. The center one -- well it needed to be centered. Most likely th body rivets were done first so they needed to be lined up with the top and by then it was too late to alter -- either have the top rivets misplaced or off centered to the body rivets. Probably felt that it was not all that important in the long run. Nice to come across a perfectionist every now and again BB2.... :).
I'll take that as a compliment T-Mon, but it was just too obvious for me not to ask.
A true craftsman BB2 -- I have seen your trunk replica's remember...
Merci T-Mon. Actually perfection comes with a price as I'm sure you know. Time consuming hand fitting instead of cut & assemble. I never could break the habit though. You must have the reputation & high-end market though as 99% of the market buys veneered press-wood that looks good for a few years. That 1% kept shrinking until I just quit. Nobody looks deeper than the veneer anymore. A compliment from you means a lot to me.
You are welcome BB2. Thats why trunks like this beautiful oak slat example draw me in. Everything about this trunk from materials used, to tight fit of the wood, to attention to detail, craftsmanship in construction and an overall aesthetically pleasing look, cannot be found in our pressboard veneer world. I am sure Sherwoodtrunks that you would agree that collecting these beauties in their various forms is a wonderful and inexpensive (except for oak slats) way to delve into the beautiful world of antiques.
good morning trunk friends - great reading these comments. The Oak Slats are a favorite of mine, as the hat trunks - and I also love finding the trunk trays with the colorful lithographs and envelope holders - somewhat of a romantic there, thinking of keeping letters in those great holders, some with keys, some with ties.
Many of the Excelsior Oak Slat trunks (which yours most definitely is) I have seen, and own, have nails that go between the slats below them. I would assume this was to lessen the chance of splitting, but we will never know for sure. Everyone needs to remember that all trunks were mass produced, and there will always be mistakes. Sometimes we look too closely for an answer that is not there.
Jim
Great find. I love that feeling you get when you first see/find a high end trunk.
This is a great looking trunk and a great find. My uncle has had one for years, he thinks it might be an Excelsior oak slat trunk but not for sure. I'll have to post it and get you guys opinion. You've definitely got a beauty there!!!
It's a good one. Can I die in peace now? LOL