Posted 10 years ago
kerr2941
(2 items)
I bought this trunk in Montreal, Canada in 1968. I think it might be a rare type because I have never seen another like it with leather tooling. The leather is in amazing condition given its age. The lock is stamped "Patented October 27,1868". I imagine it was built between 1869 and 1880. There is an owner's address card nailed to the top of the trunk with his name and town. The trunk has a flat top with beveled corners at the front and back. The picture inside the trunk is stated to be of James Gordon Bennett Jr. (1841-1918) who was the publisher of the New York Herald. It appears to be a lithrograph from "Sammons, White & Clark, Chicago, Illinois". Mr. Bennett appears to be in his twenties or thirties.
I would appreciate receiving any comments regarding my trunk.
Thank you
Your trunk appears to be in great condition. Trunkman should be along shortly to hopefully shed some light on it.
This is an unusual Bevel Top trunk (not a steamer trunk). The leather tooling is quite detailed and a bevel top trunk is a rarer form of trunk. The cast iron banding across the ribs are also unusual. A high end high quality trunk. There are other experts on this forum that may know more about this one -- thanks for posting it and welcome to Collectors Weekly!!!
Beautiful trunk. FYI, while many refer to these as Bevel top trunks (which is a correct description) trunk makers referred to them as Octagon trunks. I have one listed from the 1875 Wards catalog on my website at, http://hmsantiquetrunks.com/trunk-catalog-images.html
The Iron on top of the slats is Hoop Iron (the same material used for valances, and Jenny Lind bands) and I a few trunks that have it, but it is not something you see a lot. By 1878 most trunks were using cast Iron latches, so I would put this between 1870-1878, roughly. This trunk was most likely sold as a Gentleman's trunk (NOT because of the lithograph) because of the design. Barrel top trunks were for ladies (they had parasol trays, men did not carry parasols) they had more "stuff". Square trunks were for men and these had different compartments, and were generally smaller.
Jim
HMS Antique Trunks
I had always assumed that the lithograph and other decoration inside the trunk was put there by the owner. However, I suppose it is possible that the manufacturer put some form of decoration in their trunks.
Thanks to everyone for your comments. They are much appreciated.
Yes, great interior! Not only possible that your trunk came with that interior, but 100% certain. Prior to printers making lithographs just for trunks, many trunk makers used other, already printed material. A popular choice was often hand colored pages from French fashion magazines. Yours appears to be a page from some sort of who's who.
Jim
HMSantiquetrunks.com