Posted 10 years ago
Kydur
(103 items)
Thanks to 'jscott0363' for supplying me with more information regarding my hat cushion. I thought I would post it now that I know how rare and valuable it is!
A few months after I acquired a large wardrobe trunk (http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/142180-wardrobe-steamer-trunk) the seller dropped by with more accessories she said belonged to it - the hat cushion and a steel lock bar (with key) to secure the drawers; she's still looking for the main trunk lock key.
Apparently these hat cushions are worth about $150 or so. This one appears to be in excellent condition; the fabric, trim and tacks look brand new. I couldn't find any pin holes in the fabric either so it appears to have never been used. It measures approximately 4" diameter and 3.25" tall.
The trunk is currently in storage so I haven't been able to figure out where it fastens, but based on photos I initially took of the trunk I'm presuming the larger bottom drawer - unfortunately in the shadow area of the 4th photo. Does anyone know what the metal bracket also seen in that photo would be used for?
Ah!! That's in supreme condition!! Very awesome and unique design! The covering on mine was very rough and I had to resort to recovering it. Quite nice indeed Kydur!!
Thanks Scott, and it's getting better care and attention now that you've supplied more information on its usage, rarity and value!
It's evident that the fabric on the hat carrier is the same as what's used on the trunk itself - but yet the hat carrier seems to be an accessory manufactured by a different company than the trunk (?). I wonder if the trunk company would reupholster the hat cushion, or if the hat cushion company custom-matched the fabric to the trunk manufacturer's specifications? Or maybe all trunks of a certain period subscribed to a standard selection of fabrics - like selecting wallpaper from a choice of 10 swatches?!
It's the minutiae of these things that intrigues me and tends to get lost to history...
Kydur, as far as the hat pin cushion being manufactured by a different company than the wardrobe trunk, that's not an uncommon occurrence. Those were most likely manufactured by an outside vendor. Though it was manufactured by a outside company, it was most likely, and evidently, upholstered by the trunk manufacturer.
As for it being an added option, that too is quite possible. The big question is where does this mount inside of your wardrobe trunk? I'm really not completely sure on that one. Perhaps someone else on CW can help with that question.
Thanks for sharing Kydur!!
I'm going to make it my project this week (and an early New Year's resolution) to pull the wardrobe trunk out of its storage location - not an easy task given all the things piled in front of and on top of it - so I should have a solution to the mystery location of the hat cushion by the weekend!
Based on the illustration of the patent (see link below) it appears that there's just a mass of horsehair (?) under the fabric, which would make it tricky to reupholster. You re-covered yours, Scott, did you just cover over the original fabric or did you strip it down? If the latter, what did you find underneath?!
http://pdfpiw.uspto.gov/.piw?Docid=00782096&homeurl=http%3A%2F%2Fpatft.uspto.gov%2Fnetacgi%2Fnph-Parser%3FSect1%3DPTO1%2526Sect2%3DHITOFF%2526d%3DPALL%2526p%3D1%2526u%3D%25252Fnetahtml%25252FPTO%25252Fsrchnum.htm%2526r%3D1%2526f%3DG%2526l%3D50%2526s1%3D0782096.PN.%2526OS%3DPN%2F0782096%2526RS%3DPN%2F0782096&PageNum=&Rtype=&SectionNum=&idkey=NONE&Input=View+first+page
Kydur, mine had a cover under the original cover. So, all I had to do was to carefully remove the original cover and then replace that with the new covering. Fairly simple 15 minute job. Mince seems to be filled with saw dust. Though, it could be another type of material as the filler. Would rather not find out as it seems like something that would make quite a mess if it spilled out!:)
Oh man, can you imagine what it would be like thinking it was going to be an easy-peasy re-upholstery job and ending up with a desk covered in sawdust? Talk about trying to get the toothpaste back into the tube!
That reminds me of something Moe, Larry and Curly would get into:)
Kydur, I found out where and how your hat pin cushion should mount inside your wardrobe trunk. It does mount in the bottom drawer. But, check out this link and one of the pictures shows the hat pin cushion mounted in the bottom drawer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/Antique-Steamer-Wardrobe-Trunk-Black-Floral-Hat-holder-Primitive-Country-/121511707294?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item1c4aa9829e
Here's another wardrobe trunk with the hat pin cushion mounted in the bottom drawer.
http://www.ebay.com/itm/ANTIQUE-Wardrobe-Trunk-dresser-collector-prop-RARE-fancy-TITANIC-type-/131388397118?pt=Antiques_Furniture&hash=item1e975bd63e
Excellent! But I remain skeptical!
The photo (#4 above) shows the back of the bottom drawer quite clearly and I don't see a threaded insert anywhere. I'm betting that the metal clip plates (one of which is also seen in that photo) were used to attach an entire removable hat box from the drawer - which I don't have. It would be strange that the near perfect hat cushion exists but the box doesn't, but there's another briefcase sized box missing from my wardrobe trunk as well so somewhere along the line whoever owned it didn't like all the little detachable boxes.
No matter, I RESOLVE to pull that trunk out of storage on or before the weekend and then the mystery will be solved... or not!
Good luck with that Kydur!! Sorry I couldn't be of more help on this one.
Happy New Year Friend!!!
Scott, you were right about the positioning of the hat cushion! I managed to access the trunk today and determined that the previous photo I posted was of the 2nd to bottom drawer, and indeed the bottom drawer had the threaded insert for the hat cushion which is now mounted and in a safe place. Have included a new photo (#4) that shows it in place. Thanks for all the advice and assistance.