Posted 8 years ago
rlabraugh
(3 items)
My niece gave me this trunk and I am restoring it.
I found some markings on the bottom part on the back part of the lid and the same markings on the top rim on the back of the trunk. They are XX IIII Pictures attached.
Does anyone have any idea of age? Have you ever seen the markings before, what do they refer to?
It was covered with leather which I am going to replace as closely as possible and reuse as much of the original parts as possible.
The trunk is 26 1/2" long . 13 1/2" tall from bottom to top of lid. 14" wide at the width section on bottom
I just added 2 new pics of how far I am on my restoring. I am ready to put on the metal strips and gold buttons.
https://books.google.com/books?id=vZtAAQAAMAAJ&pg=PA122&lpg=PA122&dq=sole+leather+trunk+manufacturers&source=bl&ots=nAdhdsR35C&sig=OLRZvqR50RWqPQFqIuTLNuGn6WM&hl=en&sa=X&ei=fjUkVZWNNIWmyQSnyoGYDA&ved=0CDUQ6AEwATgK#v=onepage&q=sole%20leather%20trunk%20manufacturers&f=false
A good history of trunks and there time periods.
Thank you "Drill" I appreciate the trunk info. I will reading it.
Hey rlabraugh, I would say around 1860's, your wood looks to be in great shape, would look great sanded with a finish on it, but that's up to you. I also am working on a jenny Lind that a friend gave me, it's from late 1860's to early 1870's. looks like your missing a lock, probably had a brass lock, no idea what the markings are, I have only refinished four Jenny Lind's and have never seen any markings like that, you said the trunk is 28 inches, so that doesn't work, your guess is as good as mine, good luck with it, would like to see it when your done, greendog.
Thank you greendog, from the research I have done I think the 1860's is a pretty good est. of age. The wood is in great shape, the only damage is a tiny corner inside at the bottom. The wood it pretty ruff on the back. It does have the inner part of the lock, I am going to clean it and the hinges and put them back on. It also has the little wheels on the bottom, I didn't see them until I was cleaning it so I didn't take pictures of them. They are in good condition too. It was the metal straps and leather that was really bad. This is my first trunk, I was so happy when my niece gave it to me. I have refinished a lot of furniture so hopefully I will be able to do thing. I thought of sanding and putting a clear finish on it been I didn't want to destroy any of the original way it looks. Maybe the markings are the way the person that made it put his signature on it. I may be a little off on the measurements, I just did a quick measurement when I was doing the posting. Thank you for your response.
Very nice 5 banded Jenny. Beautiful restore.