Posted 8 years ago
Tangoes
(195 items)
Hi,The other day I was at my local flea market and came across this old Jenny Lynn salesman sample or doll trunk at my local flea market it was on a five dollar table so for $5 I bought it. I love and collect old steamer trunks and I go crazy when i see Salesman sample trucks It was hard for me to beleve it was only $5 And this truck still had its original tray which is often missing The trunk also has its side handles which is also often missing. This trunk measures approximately 1 foot wide by 7.5"tall the outside of this trunk is covered with paper some of the paper has come off I would like to seal the out side of the trunk but don't want to take away from its original condition.I added the nice old looking paper to the bottom of the trunk (not glued)and in the bottom of the tray also (not glued )I also added the Victorian lady picture I don't know how old his truck is I believe this is a Jenny Lynn? trunk. And I beleve it was made sometime in the late 1800s but not sure on the exact day if anyone out there could please give me more information about this trunk that would be gladly appreciated thank you and I hope you all enjoyed reading.
You have in your possession a lovely dome-top child's trunk from circa 1880's - 90's. Could be a little older than that. This is not a Jenny Lind trunk style as they have a different shape. So great to have the interior tray and handles!
I don't see how this trunk could be a child's trunk at only 1 foot wide and 7.5 " tall
There is some question among trunk enthusiasts as to whether or not there were salesman sample trunks or instead a variety of sizes of children's trunks or toy trunks if you will. I believe there is evidence to suggest that children's trunks were made and sold that were advertised as such that would be the size of your trunk. I hope other contributors who are better versed on this question can contribute to the subject for clarification.
Hi Tangoes,
Nice little trunk. I've collected and researched trunks for about 45 years now (since my college days) and based on everything I've found in old trunk catalogs and other sources, this is a child's toy trunk. Not to be confused with a "child's trunk" which some may think of as a small size trunk used for actual travel purposes. Several companies made a variety of these in different sizes and they did call them "toy trunks" during the 1880's to around 1900 and then in some catalogs and ads they started calling them "doll trunks". There are a few rare salesman's sample trunks out there, but not this style with the paper covering, simple lock, and no real hardware other than the metal valance banding and handle rosettes. Some of the toy trunks were actually quite detailed and ornate so it's hard for some people to believe they were really toys, but the old catalogs do prove that. Based on several old catalogs and articles I've found, they described how trunk salesmen would use their "sample trunk" and catalogs, as well as having full size trunks shipped ahead to the town or city they were visiting for their "trunk show". They would sell the trunks at a discount to get business and more orders from their company. The "sample trunk" that they traveled with was not a small miniature trunk, but rather a full size heavy duty style trunk which they could carry their catalogs and samples of hardware in to show customers. The trunk makers also made the "sample trunks" in several styles for traveling salesmen and many old trunk labels and catalogs list and describe them. It really wouldn't do them any good to show a trunk like this as a sample because this was a common paper covered style which nearly all trunk companies made and everyone was already familiar with them. Somehow over the years many people and antique dealers began calling all the small toy trunks like this a salesman's sample, but it's really not the case. There are a few trunk collectors and others who have also researched this topic and found some of the same history information which I have found. I'd be glad to give more details and copies of some of the catalog pages if you want to contact me at ThisOldTrunk.com. I only mention that because I can't provide all that information and pictures for you here. Also, in case you aren't aware of it, you can see some of the other beautiful toy and doll trunks which other collectors (including a few of mine) have posted here in the past months and years by looking at their collections rather than just the new postings. I hope that helps.