Posted 10 years ago
Mghnmarie
(2 items)
I found this embossed tin trunk this weekend in West Virginia and had to have it. It's in pretty good condition, just really dirty! As I was working on scraping the paper inside the lid I noticed the one section started to uncover this small section of elaborate paper. I've tried my best to preserve as much as I could and I'm wondering if anyone has seen something like it before? Unfortunately, I accidentally scraped part of it off but hopefully someone can help me put the puzzle together! Thanks!
Hi, nice find,I like small domes- this one appears to have the orchid acanthus pattern. Ok. so when I find something from the 1880s and there is a layer of paper
that is over the original lithograph I become the paper surgeon . It is very difficult to separate the papers (old from newer) but it can be done .It is loads of time and little amounts of steam,luck, patience prayer etc.Having said that, things don't even work out when I'm careful( 50/50 crap shoot) depending on the type of glue that the new paper had on it.
From the looks of it You might have damaged the lithograph beyond repair.Cheer up They do sell reproduction Lithographs for just such occasions.Some pictures are more popular than others, you might even find a perfect match. To protect them I always cover them in a paper protector such as clear decoupage found in almost any craft store. much luck with it . (thanks again for the pictures of the Jenny Lind interior that you sent me, it will aid in my restoration.)
Drill - thanks so much :) I was able to find the lithograph image online, now it's just a matter of finding someone who could reproduce it! The lithograph surprised me because I had no idea there'd be a little treasure under that floral paper! I'm trying to clean up the tin and having trouble with it...it will just take time I suppose!
Do you have any photos you could send of one of your trunks with the lithograph inside? I'd love to see one.
No problem on the pictures! I'm on the hunt for a key for my jenny Lind...perhaps I'll stumble into one!
I only have 2 lithograph pictures one of a baby crying and one of a pretty lady I will
try to send you pics when i get a chance.In the mean time" treasured chests website"
has many examples of original lady lithographs for you to gaze at.This is a very difficult pattern to clean. The question always is... are you cleaning, refinishing, or restoring ?There are different processes for each. The most important thing to ask
when we find an item. Might I ask How are you cleaning it?
P.S. The key has no number but is a barrel key. I'll be on the look out for ya.
Drill - I'm looking to remove the rust and discoloration...depending on what's left underneath the rust I may want to repaint and restore it. I'm using a small brass wire brush with some vinegar water...
I tend to use mechanical means on metal Sometimes I will use a soft steel 3 inch rotary wheel set up in a 3/8 drill with some safety glasses. I use a dremmel tool for the fine work. always be sure to protect the wood slats with a piece of metal flashing as the drill spins close. Fine Steel wool works well too. Tons of elbow grease and lots of love.There are times I have used chemical warfare, before wire wheeling but not always .Citristrip paint remover is the least toxic stripper that I have found and
in smells like your squeezing oranges while your using it.(I even clean all my brushes with it.) Follow the directions thats what they are for! If you are going to paint it use a good metal paint. If your doing two colors (painting in relief) you need to paint the high spots first( I use fast drying Krylon or rustoleum) let them dry good.
Then paint over the whole embossment (Here I don't use the fast drying paint .You need time to work the paint )and while wet clean the high spots off exposing the first color while leaving the second base color.A soft rubber cake spatula works well And you can take your time a little. You can paint the high spots after but it is way more difficult to do. Although it does a better job its double the time.
Maybe this will help. good luck
I also find that if you dark stain the wood slats they look a little better...
Drill and Trunkman thanks so much! This will definitely be a labor of love :)
Oh those are the best kind...
I have one just like this and know nothing about it. Try to post pics with no luck.