Posted 7 years ago
Sats
(5 items)
A lady near me doesn't want this and doesn't know much about it.. wondering if there are any telltale clues, as I'm trying to decide whether to take in another stray.. looks like it has original handles and also the basket weave on the trim.. pretty. Is this a fairly common one?
You have a lovely trunk made by the Romadka brothers. They had specific patented hardware unique to them that are on this trunk. Just as a co-incidence I have the exact same trunk sitting in my garage. Here's the link for comparison :https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/229430-antique-romadka-brothers-trunk?in=user ... yours is in rough shape but with some tlc can bounce back rather nicely. This one was probably leather covered originally.
ps. Strays can be a lot of fun if you come across the right one...
Thanks trunkman.. I am really loving learning all these new things about them from you and fellow trunk masters. Also I noticed the dome almost seems to have more of a 'pointy hump' on this than other more common ones I have seen. Yours is in much better shape, I'll really have to get my gloves on for this one. Your gallery of trunks.. wow.. just stunning.. where the heck do y'all find all these gems! I just purchased my very first Maier trunk from Jim at HMS trunks, I'm hoping I come across one on my own that I can fix up.
Congrats on the Martin Maier acquisition! They are lovely works of art. This Romadka one you've posted actually would not be too difficult to restore. This hardware shines up rather nicely and you would have the bonus of not having to take off the canvas or leather.... the wood will restore nicely too. Putting on "the gloves" will be well worth it ! Yah I know what you mean about the higher dome point. I've seen others even more exaggerated than this, not sure what that design story is all about. I suppose that's where the "camel back" moniker came from. My collection has come principally from kijji which is the US equivalent of Craigslist. I am always on the look out for something unique or different. (okay... and cheap!) I tend to take long "trunk runs" from time to time to acquire one I deem worth the road trip. So I have a bit of a range I work in. Ah just love them and am compelled to rescue ones that have been painted or neglected. Such FUN! Welcome to Collectors Weekly!
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A few patents to confirm your find.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US185971-0.png
A label for Romadka.
http://images.wisconsinhistory.org/700011230010/1123000185-l.jpg