Posted 9 years ago
Hamish
(62 items)
Ok, as mentioned on here to a few folks I thought as a project through the winter I might like to have a go at restoring an old steamer trunk. Now, here is where it gets tricky. When you put Steamer Trunk into google, you get a picture of every trunk known to man. Likewise Ebay. Now I'm guessing the reason for this is that people are fully aware that deco is 'cool', and for their items to be associated with this era is a good selling point, and the age of relatively affordable steam travel is very much of the deco period. So, just about every trunk has the work 'Steamer' in there somewhere. Now this causes a problem for someone naïve like me as I don't actually know what a proper authentic steamer trunk looks like, as I have no one to show me. The three pictures above are all listed under Steamer Trunk, but which one is the real thing? My thoughts are that picture one is a suitcase, and not a trunk at all. Picture 3 I think is a trunk/chest, but not a steamer as its too tall and bulky. My thoughts were running to picture 2.
Any trunk type people who can tell me I would be very grateful!
Thank you.
I am voting for #3 as the basic shape although it doesn't need to be a camelback.
They are probably all steamer trunks but #3 is what I think of as a steamer trunk.
The real trunk experts should be here soon.
Just saying your first pic kinda looks a bit like mine posted.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/119721-old-trunk--green-and-brass
~ I think in certain area of the world they are referred to differently. To me a trunk is a Trunk.....we call those streamer trunks. I am no experts on them at all, so see what the Experts say. ~ Great Question !!!
In answer to your question, the first and second trunks pictured would be "steamer trunks" -- so named due to their size -- half sized trunks that could be brought into your cabin on an ocean going vessel. (low enough to fit under your bunk if you needed to) The third trunk would be called a cross slat trunk -- which would be placed in the hold of a ship during voyage. Sometimes there are stickers on these that have travelled stating "Not wanted" -- referring to not wanting your steamer trunk to go to your cabin but put in the hold instead. Of course the general public groups all forms of trunks into the "steamer trunk" category -- so if you think of "Urban Dictionary" meaning seems that is the direction the term is going. Hope this helps a bit...
That helps more than a bit. Thank you very much for the information, so much knowledge between everyone here, its a great place to be!
I shall have a look around to see what type of trunk I will start with. I know you mentioned before about avoiding something like the first picture or leather covered for my first attempt, so I will look to see what is relatively easy. My wife does vintage fairs so perhaps if I do a good enough job she can sell it on, so maybe smaller as opposed to big.
Thanks again everyone, I appreciate it.
Hamish, check out Craigslist when you are ready to buy in the meantime look around and see what's out there and what trips your trigger, you're going to want to display it so pick up something that will look good at the end of the couch or wherever. Here are some links that a couple of the people on here have that have a lot of info on them.
TrunkerMarvin on here has this site: http://www.thisoldtrunk.com/
hmsantiquetrunks.com has this site: http://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/
Ths bunch has a lot of info as well and a bit of parts and such too: http://www.brettunsvillage.com/
Look around and you'll find plenty of info out there. Have fun.
Thank you, I really appreciate the info.
Hamish, they all look great to me. The first trunk, which would be a European trunk, is one of my favorite types of trunks.