Posted 8 years ago
VintageEvan
(2 items)
I purchased this trunk today because I loved the blueish color of it (first trunk I have ever purchased). After looking around a bit, I think it might be made of zinc.
It's about, 2 feet high and 30 inches across. The lock says it's made by Keystone Pa Lock works, there seems to be a date on the lock but I can't quite make it out. There is also a print of a woman in what appears to be Victorian clothing on the inside and seashells handles on the side.
Does anyone have any information about how old or what style this trunk may be? There is also a name written in cursive across one side of the trunk. Would love to learn more about it including how to best clean it.
Thank You!
Yes a lovely zinc covered trunk from 1880's. The lock is exceptionally nice. Various Victorian prints were common in most trunks of this period. I clean mine up with a half lemon smeared over it and then fine steel wool.... lemon is a nice light acid. Without a makers label its hard to know who made it -- it seems the zinc trunks were made mostly in this style or there were only a few makers using this style. Locks and handle caps like your nice seashell ones were often bought from outside suppliers. Thanks for the post -- I really love these trunks... Welcome to Collector's Weekly.
Thank you foe the information Trunkman. I'm excited about it and can't wait to see it cleaned up. Most of the leather straps in the front and side handles are torn or missing. Is it possible to find replacements pieces somewhere? The two hindges on the back are also broken.
Also, there is a handwritten signature across one of the sides. Was this a normal thing to do back then?
Hey VintageEvan, try sticking a magnet on your trunk, if it is pure zinc it won't stick, if it sticks, it could be zinc coated sheet metal. If it's pure zinc I think it could date prior to 1880, pure zinc was not used long because it was expensive to make, also because it had strap closures and not metal latches I believe it could date earlier than 1880, metal latches were patented in 1872 by 1880 most trunks, not all but most had metal latches of some kind. I have always made my own leather straps and handles, but you can find them on line as well as hinges. And yes owners often put there names on there trunks.
Thank you for the info greendog. As we were cleaning it up last night I found a stamp on the side that reads "Vieilla Montagne" so I think it is zinc!
Here is another with a stamp.
http://www.legacytrunks.com/beveled%20top%2072860/beveled%20top%20trunk%2072860_main.htm
Yes! That's the stamp That is on mine.
https://archive.org/stream/catalogueno13spr00mont#page/48/mode/2up/search/trunk
some advertising for a zinc trunk!