Posted 10 years ago
FatBoy64
(13 items)
Well guys, I drove to Fort Wayne and bought that rough looking Jenny Lind I posted about a week or so ago. There was another on Craigslist so I stopped by to check it out and wound up getting that one as well. The first has five brass bands on it, wood trim and a pretty cool latch cover. I'm not sure what I've gotten myself into but I suppose this ought to keep me out of trouble for some time.
Can somebody explain the shape of the Jenny Lind to me? It doesn't make it able to open against a wall & a H of a lot harder to make. Also, where did the name come from?
In short BB2 there was this Swedish signer named Jenny Lind that toured America around the 1840's or so and it was rumored that she travelled with this style of trunk so everyone wanted one -- or this stye was attributed to her. Others will fill you in much better -- I hope. Congrats FatBoy64 on a great double pick! Fabulous way to start your collection!
T-Mon, explain "signer"? Why is she so well known?
Opps -- typo -- should read "singer" although I am sure she had a nice autograph. I believe she was an opera singer who gained a following at the time. "Johanna Maria Lind (6 October 1820 – 2 November 1887), better known as Jenny Lind, was a Swedish opera singer, often known as the "Swedish Nightingale". One of the most highly regarded singers of the 19th century, she performed in soprano roles in opera in Sweden and across Europe, and undertook an extraordinarily popular concert tour of America beginning in 1850. She was a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music from 1840." -- straight from the annals of Wikipedia....
Hey! That looks like the twin brother of the one I posted, post # 27. Great trunk!
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
blunderbuss2, if you would like an explanation of the jenny Lind name, please vist my site at,
http://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/how-the-jenny-lind-trunk-got-its-name.html
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
Thanks hms & T-Mon.
Thanks for the comments and the loves folks.
hmsantiquetrunks.com, I backtracked and found the twin you talked about and maybe they were at one time but yours is gorgeous. If I can get mine to come out anywhere close to that I'll be pretty happy and more than a bit surprised. heheh
Sure don't think I would want to make one!
Thank you, but I would of rather worked on yours. Mine was in about the same shape, but the previous owner covered the entire trunk in decoupage! Never again! It was a nightmare.....
If you decide to do any work and need some help feel free to call anytime.
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
I would love to restore them, I hope I find one!
Wonderful post! Thanks to hmsantiquetrunks for the interesting articel on Jenny Lind and the trunk. Being from Sweden myself I have wondered about this trunk phenomenon. I have suspected this could be an american trunk as I have never seen a trunk with this shape here, I am not an expert on trunks but I have seen quite a lot of antiques and felt it would be strange if had never seen one if they were from here. But Jenny Lind is 'ours' ;)...
Ahh!! I'm glad you didn't let that one get you!! You most definitely made the right choice here. You did good FatBoy64!!!
I am glad to see that you got this trunk FatBoy64 and the other one as well. Just take your time with them and enjoy . If you look at my posts you will see one that I did a few months back, still working the interior.(I refinish things a little different, but I'm happy that way)This model is one of my favorites.Good luck and post if you decide to refinish.
Drill, I went through your pics and you have some really great trunks. It looks like you get into the details quite a bit, I think I might steal the idea of putting those brass nails in the straps like you have in that Jenny Lind.
I've been working on the smaller trunk in the pic above and so far I've gotten everything stripped off the box and now I'm gluing up the cracks and weak points. I'm not sure what to do with the finish since the wood underneath all that nacho chip leather is kinda rough but we'll see what happens after it gets sanded. Right now I'm wondering about finishing the inside and I was wondering if I could get some opinions on what you folks tend to do with the interiors and why you go that route. I'm thinking about either wallpaper or fabric with some kind of pattern but I'd like to hear from some of you first. Thanks in advance, Mark
Thanks,It's a labor of love, I work 4 to 5 trunks at a time that way I never get bored . And feel free to take anything you see and make it your own. Incidentally that leather was an old Hollister belt my son grew out of, split down the middle/stained and (understand each nail has to be cut/you could cinch them back against themselves but it is time consuming and you will spit lumber.) as they will penetrate the inside. Delicate work pounding on 1850 lumber! The handles are the same belt leather as well as the lid lifter and belt guides.Always Understand the difference of terms refinishing and restoration(Making as original as possible)I believe there are no real rules once you decide to strip/canvas or leather and take the age from a piece and refinish. As far as the exterior some believe in tongue oil ,some stain first,others like clear finish, some varnish or shellac, others chose urethane or water based varathane. All are different and can produce different results. Some fill all the cracks and sand,others show the age of the lumber and do not. I have done both.I have even tried to put leather back on the exterior.It all depends on your tastes and skill level and what you are looking to achieve. Some refinish to as close to original as possible interior and exterior.You have to decide what works for you and what pays tribute to the integrity of the piece. There are times that I polish all the nail heads and then clear coat ,sometimes I will paint them and the hardware.
The interior same rules apply are you going for original some times I keep what is there and protect the paper/duck cloth trays/lithographs etc. or other fabric. I sometimes sand and stain the interior because I like the wood. it depends. It also depends on time investment and whether I am keeping a piece or making it for others. Good luck and no fear, I'm sure you will do a fine job as we have the same name Mark,and post when your done.
Thanks for the advice Drill. I hadn't thought about splitting the wood, that is something I'll have to take into consideration.
Hi, That's actually a very nice Jenny Lind type trunk and in very good restorable condition. I had also seen that on craigslist but just didn't get up there to look at it soon enough. I've always like this style trunk very much and collect them. It should be a beautiful trunk when completed. Feel free to contact me also if you have any questions or may need parts.
Marvin ThisOldTrunk.com in Indiana
TrunkerMarvin, this is so odd, I just stumbled across your site yesterday (nice site by the way) and while I was checking it out noticed where you were from. Thanks for the offer, I'll be sure to yell if I get stuck on anything.