Posted 9 years ago
LexaKay
(4 items)
My newest purchase is this Trunk which I believe was made somewhere around 1902-1908. It is in really good shape. There are pictures in the shelf and on the inside top cover that are interesting. They are not film pictures but rather what appears to be stamps on paper. Probably added by an owner at some point but would love to have more information if anyone has any to offer.
Thanks
LexaKay
Beautiful trunk.
LexaKay. The pictures are chromolithographs, which means color print. These prints were put in most all trunks as decoration by the trunk makers. These were randomly chosen and the subject matter of each lithograph had no association with the trunk it was installed in. Your trunk is a very nice "fancy metal covered trunk" in great original condition. It is not a steamer trunk, but would more accurately called a travel trunk. A steamer trunk (also called a cabin trunk) is a trunk no taller than 14". Hope this helps,
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
Thanks so much Jim. Antiquing is fairly new to me so I am a little green. When I first got the trunk, I thought the chromolithographs (and the paper) were added after but after doing research I found they were original....I was still not 100% sure though....and now you have confirmed it for me. I was told by 2 different people these trunks were made between 1890-1910. Now I'm trying to get a closer time period. I visited your site Jim, you do fantastic work! Thanks again for your knowledge! LK
This is a very nice trunk -- often the trays are missing so that's a bonus to have them. I use gun oil on some of my tin to help reduce the rust and shine them up a bit (but it does darken the rusty metal!). Some satin tung oil on the slats will revive them and look good as well. Happy trunk hunting!