Posted 8 years ago
jscott0363
(905 items)
Hello CW friends!!
This is the latest addition to my French trunk collection. It’s made by Aux Etats Unis (The States United) which is a brand launched by Louis Gérard of Paris, France in 1890. This is a very old example of that brand and was made about the same year that this brand was launched in Paris, France.
It still retains its’ original canvas covering and the interior is complete, still retaining both trays. I’ll post the interior in my next post.
There is a brass name plate on top of the lid with the name “A.W. West” engraved into the brass plate. The handles are missing and I chose not to replace them for fear of damaging this rare piece any further than it already is. Check out the very unique and heavy duty studs that secured the leather handles.
The trunk is leather bound and though it’s a bit dried out, 99% of that leather binding is still intact. The leather straps were deteriorated and so I replaced those, as I had a pair lying around in my shop already. I cleaned the exterior thoroughly and polished all of the brass with very fine steel wool.
I must say that the photos really don't do this one justice. It's much more beautiful in person than the photos show.
There are red iron crosses in black circles, painted on each end of the trunk. The best I can come up with on my searches is a German Shipwrecked Mariners Rescue symbol or perhaps a German military decoration symbol. I welcome all input from everyone on what this symbol represents. I'd really love to know.
Hope you enjoy seeing this little beauty as much as I do and thank you all for dropping in to have a look. I sincerely appreciate each and every one of you for dropping by.
Thanks to Jean-Pierre Bal of BelMal.be archives for his help in identifying this lovely Aux Etats Unis trunk.
Scott
Ha! First to see and love your new beauty ;-))
Kyra,
Wow, that was FAST!! Thank you so very much for the lovely comment!!!!
Thanks very much everyone for the loves and for stopping by
Kyra
Kerry
brendaadams79
greendog
Cindy
Michael
shughs
Rob
Kivatinitz
JImam
fleafinder
Designer
and
Thomas
Many thanks to you all!!
Spectacular addition to the collection Scotty
Roy,
Thanks very much for the spectacular comment, the appreciation and for dropping by. Much thanks to you my friend!!!!
Wow -- what a FIND!!! I have only seen one Etates unis trunk and I missed out on it but it was not near as nice as this one js... the quality is so evident. Okay -- officially impressed...
T-man,
You're far too kind!! I just happened to be at the right place at the right time. I made an offer of half the asking price and to my surprise the seller accepted. Lucky me!!!! Other than being quite dirty, it's in pretty nice condition still. I can write the Aux Etats Unis off my bucket list now:) Thanks for the kind complement T-man!!!!!
Thanks everyone very much for the loves, kind comments and for stopping by
Roy
Kevin
FatBoy
Karen
Drill
Judy
Signaholic
and
Longings
Many thanks to you all!!!!!!
Thanks very much for the loves everyone
sanhardin
fortapache
and
Mike
Many thanks to you all!!
http://i.ebayimg.com/images/g/9XcAAOxyeR9TKfwf/s-l1600.jpg
cool lock
That is a very cool lock!! The lock on this one has a really large center pin, for the barrel key, by no engraving like the one in your link.
betweenthelens
farmlady
and
sugargirl
Thank you all so very much for the loves and for dropping by.
Congrats on your new trunk Scott! As always did an excellent job on the restoration :-)
Rick,
Thanks very much my friend!! Thanks also for the love and for stopping in. Many thanks to you!!
leighannrn,
Thank you so very much for the love and for taking the time to drop by. Always greatly appreciated!!!!
Mani,
Thanks so very much for the love and for stopping by. Many thanks to you!!
crswerner
mtg75
Celiene
and
snowman3
Thank you all for the loves and for dropping by!!
Beachbum58,
Thanks very much for the love and for stopping by. Many thanks to you!!!
Thanks Lamplover78 for the love and for taking time to stop in!!
MALKEY,
Jenni
and
vcal
Thanks very much for the loves and for stopping in!!