Posted 8 years ago
Windexgirl
(1 item)
Happy NYE all!
This is one of my favourite antique store finds from my local shop because it is a storage blessing! It looks great in the living room and holds blankets, etc. which guests don't even know!
The stamp on the metal hardware appears to date it to the 1890s but I realize that hardware could have been reused for a while. It measures about 30" wide x 17" tall. Any additional information about it would be nice to have!
Thanks for all of the knowledge so far!
Hi Windexgril, the stamped slat clamps are dated 1880 and were patented by Charles A. Taylor. Date on latches are 1872 and I believe they were the first patented trunk latch that was widely used, if not they were very close. Love the tin pattern have been looking for one in good shape, I think your right on the date, late 1800's to early 1900's, plywood top. earlier trunk tops had barrel stave construction, like you said trunk hardware was used for many years, some people look at a patent date of 1880 and think that's when the trunk was made, not realizing the hardware was used for 35 years or more. nice trunk.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US399083-0.png
lock patent I believe.
Thank you both for all of the information! Love this trunk!
Correction, Jim at HMS antiques has informed me that plywood tops were first patented in 1882, so plywood could have been used on earlier trunks.