Posted 8 years ago
Yoli0811
(2 items)
I bought this a few years ago from a couple that had just bought a home in Austin Texas they were remodeling and was found in the attic. A few items found inside couple buttons, thread ,clips and the images inside I though were interesting ... if anyone knows or can give me some information that would be great ,
Attic hunting! Awesome ;) There are some great trunk collectors on here. They will probably be able to give you all the info you need. I've never seen one with the outside like this. They'll be by.
Shareurpassion , I sure hope so I also thought it was quite unique
The storage compartment in the lid is the best part of this even with the water damage. Don't let anyone talk you into replacing it with new paper. It is fine as is.
Beautiful trunk, barrel stave style, slats running end to end, sea shell or just shell embossed tin, I Think from around mid 1880's give or take a few years. very cool latches if I'am not mistaken they have a lever on the bottom that you flip to open not sure on patent date probably late 1870's or early 1880's. lithograph inside appears to be 1880's fashion lady's, this would be very easy to clean up, sorry fortapache but I would have to remove that paper it probably stinks, and replace it. you can take pictures of your lithograph's and reproduce them and put them back in, but that's totally up to you. great trunk I love it !
Greendog, please don't hate me. It is not a barrel top trunk. A barrel top trunk has a higher center like a barrel on end. It's just a travel trunk. Check the metal with a magnet to see if it sticks as this would indicate a pure Zinc metal. The latches were patented in 1873, and I would put the trunk much closer to that date then the mid 1880's. The reason for this is the interior. If those French fashion magazine lithographs are original to the trunk it would be from the 1870's. Also, the paper, and trim help date it as well.
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
I appreciate all the information as this is extremely interesting to me
Has seashells printed all over .. if anyone else has any more info please comment - Thank You once again appreciate everyone's comments and time
First of all Jim, I didn't say it was a barrel top trunk, I said barrel stave style, which I thought they were called when slats ran end to end sorry. I get the feeling you hate me, no matter what I say I'am wrong, so I'll just stick to what I know for sure and that's refinishing trunks, see ya.
Hello, nice trunk and great that it has the tray and some of the fashion prints and trim left. My two cents worth...I agree, the latches are 1873 patent and the seashell metal is either zinc or zinc coated sheet iron if it's rusting. I personally would estimate the age at mid 1870's to very early 1880's because that's when that seashell pattern covering was most popular and those latches were used most, plus the fashion prints were used more during that period. If it were mine, I would replace the interior lining and preserve the original prints which can be done if you're careful. But you can decide how you like it best. Great attic find!
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US140338-0.png
could this be the patent we are referencing?
I agree the lithograph of the ladies is 1870s and a favorite of mine.
Geendog, be patient, it takes time. I will explain. When a trunk is referred to as a barrel top, or barrel stave top, it is in reference to the construction of the top. The barrel shape is produced by many pieces of wood, or staves, wider in the middle then the ends. These were then steam formed and the top constructed. I have seen as few as four staves (a cheaper trunk) to as many as ten. The more staves, the smoother the curve, and more expensive to produce. A perfect example is the Martin Maier that was just posted. Nine or ten staves on that trunk produces a very smooth curve on top. The slats on top of the leather, metal, etc. have nothing to do with a barrel top trunk and they could, and did, go in both directions. Trunk makers catalogs would describe them like this, "Barrel stave top, slats running front to back", or " Barrel stave top slats running lengthwise" You are not the first, or last, person to think that trunks with slats running lengthwise are barrel top trunks. I thought this was the case for at least two years when I started out. I see that you truly want to know about these amazing trunks, and learn what you can. I hope I have helped.
Jim
hmsantiquetrunks.com
I will say that one thing that gums up the mix a bit in the designation of barrel tops trunks are these patents.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US262956-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US275500-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US380291-0.png
I say that because in 1883 Kukkuck can make the exact same shape without the use of any staves.Two ply veneer was certainly used in the late 1800s. Jim is spot on.. of course in the methods of early true barrel top construction.
It is however important to acknowledge the progression of trunks and their tops.
The Schoenam- Kukkuck two ply trunk top & veneer company inc. 1893. Produced thousands of tops for many makers during the industrial revolution.They were lighter weight and ultimately cheaper to produce.
Later the company would go on to purchase the St. Louis trunk top company and their patents in 1896.
There have been a few instances already when I have made a purchase with the hope of refinishing those wonderful staves.To my dismay uncovering the canvas to find these patents. Plywood just does not stain or finish out the same. Incidentally when
I see this type of construction I think of a "Dome" because it is far from being constructed like a barrel.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US513470-1.png
Another!
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US513470-0.png
missed one.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US268694-0.png
original top patent