Posted 10 years ago
taraky21
(1 item)
GEM CITY TRUNK. I had this item in storage for years. I never bothered to open it. Someone gave it to me when they moved, they were going to throw it away! I noticed today that W.J. Bowles put his signature and date on the inside of the top drawer cover. Underneath his name is what looks to be a woman's name but I can't tell. The date was much clearer, it was Dec 1, 1898. I didn't post that picture because it is hard to see, and the picture didn't come out so clear. The signature is all but faded away. The outside has a metal name signature of the same on the lid. The inside is in almost perfect condition. The outside appears to be in good shape but it is obviously deteriorating due to it's age. I am assuming these are probably not rare, so I doubt it's worth anything. I was just curious if anyone has a trunk like this? If so should I leave it be, or try to restore it?
In 1876 Fred Thomas Meyer started manufacturing trunks, by 1885 in was named
Gem City Trunk Factory 634 main st. moved to 642 main sometime in the 1890s.
Ernest Kuhlo a trusted employee took over in the early 1900s upon Fred Thomas Meyer's death at the insisting of the remaining Family members. Ernest Kuhlo eventually bought it moving the business to 410 Main st.
As for leaving it or restoring it, It is not a high dollar item, many were manufactured
That would fall into preference, some times we can add value to a buyer with a restoration, sometimes we can take away.
You have listed in your post heading : W. L. Bowles(who is a famous priest,poet,and critic but died in 1850( long before this trunk was ever made,Not his trunk !)
W.J. Bowles- of which there are multiple men- Including a patent holder (fire starter)
and another guy that was locked up for manslaughter.Might be none of these blokes though hard saying. Good luck thanks for the post.
Drill, thank you for your info! I assumed it wasn't the famous poet....wish it was lol. However, I did think it was pretty neat to be able to see the actual date, and a name. I think I may look into restoring depending on the cost.