Posted 9 years ago
AnnaB
(85 items)
I always wanted a trunk. There's something fascinating about old trunks. But the restored trunks in antique stores always cost more than i could spend on one. So, the opportunity to have one came in a form of this reject put out by someone for county garbage collection. I thought that a little bit of love, care and paint will do it (of course, i know nothing about trunks or trunk restoration), but when i opened it, my excitement quickly faded away... For all the trunk connoisseurs here, what do i have here? How bad is it? Any information about it as well as recommendations on what i can/should do with it in terms of repairs (as well as what i shouldn't) are very much appreciated! Thank you as always.
It doesn't look that bad, a bit rusty but you're ahead of the game with the price and if you're willing to put some effort into it you could have a pretty cool trunk. Look around online and you can get some tips and tricks on how to go about working on it and you should be fine.
Thank you FatBoy64, yes, it's good to know that its condition is not beyond hope. I'll look for some info online. I think i saw a similar one called Steam Trunk. Any idea what period it's from?
AnnaB, I've had worse ones in my shop. This is a packing trunk from about the 1920's or early 1930's. A good bit of steel wool and paint would do this one wonders. As far as the interior, you'll need to scrape all of that old wallpaper lining out of it and sand it clean. You'll want to seal it with a couple of coats of satin polyurethane and reline it, or not reline it. Your call. Here are links to one that I rescued from the wood pile a couple of years ago.
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/141215-interior-of-a-trunk-i-posted-earlier
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/141204-another-one-of-my-favorites
Scott, thank you so very much! I sure do understand why restored trunks cost so much considering all the skill, experience and knowledge required. You work miracles on these trunks, beautiful work!! I'll do my best on this one, and post updated photos...sometime in the near future Lol. Thank you for solving the mystery!
Anna, Thanks for realizing the amount of work that goes into a restored trunk. Most people just don't realize what goes into one and they freak out when they see the prices of the finished product. It takes me anywhere from 4-6 hours just to reline a trunk. But, I do enjoy it, when I have the time.
Good luck and I'm anxious to see your finished product. I know it will look awesome!!!
I'm sure how ever you do it it will be awesome. Personally I like the patina.
Scott, yes, i do realize, but a lot of people don't, so don't blame them. Many blessings to all craftsmen/women out there in any field or trade who make old or broken things alive and beautiful again, make something out of nothing, and love what they do while they are at it!
Caperkid, thank you so much as always, i also like patina and try to leave it as much as it makes sense =)
Many thanks to everyone for your loves, i really appreciate it!
Nice to hear love, care and paint are in store for this one. You never know AnnaB,
Be careful ,you just might get the trunk bug. My very first trunk was very similar to this one ,and it to was found in the junk heap at the curb.
thanks for the post and much luck.
Drill, thanks so much for the comment and support! Yes, i think this trunk bug is pretty contagious, thanks to all the awesome trunks you all post here =) I especially love to see the "before and after" ones and the description of the restoration process. Each and every one of them is a labor of love. Thank you for the inspiration and bringing more beauty into the world.
Merry Christmas and best wishes for the new year to all!