Posted 14 years ago
TrunkerMar…
(32 items)
One of my favorite small trunks, sometimes called a Half Trunk or Hat Trunk. This one was very well preserved in great original condition, including the old key, inside covered tray, and leather handles. You can see the metal hardware still has some of the original tin coating on it. Most trunks from the 1880's to 1890's had tinned hardware and nails which made them look silver in color. This is canvas covered and paper covered inside with the colorful Victorian chromolithographs and trim. They wrote the owners name on the side with fancy lettering! That was pretty common to do on old trunks. This trunk was probably made in the mid 1890's based on the hardware styles. I tried to research the original owner but couldn't find too much except that they were probably Irish.
do you find most of your trunks at estate sales, auctions or do people contact you?
Anywhere I can! I've bought very few from people contacting me. It's been mostly a lot of hunting around flea markets, estate sales, auctions, shows, shops, etc. Keep in mind I've been collecting for 40 years and it's very hard to find some of these trunks especially in this condition. Thanks
I've been looking at your trunks and I love all of them! It makes me want to immediately go to the nearest antique store and buy one. I'm not knowledgeable like you, however, so I would probably get suckered into paying too much! I'm learning a lot from your posts, however. Thanks.
Thanks for your comments. I love some of your items too, especially the early tintype of your great grandfather. That's great to have something like that! Marvin, ThisOldTrunk.com
THIS is in mint condition!! I LOVE IT-good for you-Its so nice-If you didnt tell me--I would of thought it was a new 1--or a great recon'"! its really nice --40 years--you deserve a few more like that//or close!! thay are not easy to find!!happy hunting!
Isn't this a childs trunk, thus the child-like pictures in picture 3?
I know this is REALLY late for a reply, but I guess I just didn't notice the other comments until now. But thanks for the comments and question. Many of the pictures, or chromolithographs used in trunks of all sizes had children or women as the subject. I've restored trunks for about 40 years and seen thousands of trunks of all sizes and this same type of picture with the child-like theme was even used in some rather large trunks. I also have about a dozen old trunk company catalogs and they all show this style trunk as a hat trunk (usually used by women to carry their fancy hats, gloves, and other small items). Many men and women would actually have several trunks when they traveled including a large trunk and possibly a hat trunk. So, based on the many trunks I've seen and the old trunk catalogs, I would say this was not a child's trunk. Thanks!
Hi scotto and trunkman... did you see this original condition hat trunk? I know you like the hat trunks too! Thanks