Posted 9 years ago
Gal3378
(1 item)
I purchased this trunk at an estate auction for $60. From what I am finding it appears to be a late 1800s to early 1900s dome top steamer trunk, possibly for a child? It appears to be all original is there any way I can tell if it is original or been restored? Also Is there any way to find out who the maker of this trunk is? I do not see any markings or stamps. Any other interesting facts about this type of trunk are welcome!
This is a lovely dome top trunk most likely from around the 1890's to 1900's as you have conjectured. It appears to be all original -- and nicely restored. There would have been original paper lining in the interior that has been removed -- nice though that they kept the original lithograph. Many trunk makers made these types of trunks and bought common hardware from parts companies so you will be hard pressed to know who made this one without a maker's label.
I was just searching on my own trunk, which at one time belonged to a relative collects many things but does not store them in the best places... humid outdoor storage or wet basements. The trunk is almost identical to your own, including interior. The image differs. I am not sure if the condition is similar or not, as often photos reveal little. I am not certain paper has been removed but when I was a child, I think it may have had a blue fern paper interior, but I could be confusing that with another trunk that was left to rot. A leather strap on the front, above the lock, appears to be missing; maybe it was a label/name tag. The key is missing and unlikely to be found.
There is a shelf that is divided with about a 1:2 ratio. I think at one time it may have had something more elaborate in one of the compartments.