Romadka Brothers Oak leaf & Acorn

Well here goes,

I have never been an antique loving person, but my grandfather was the epitome of the junk collector! He had at least 2 of everything, and explained often how each old thing was actually something super cool! After his somewhat abrupt passing the family sold or auctioned off much that he had collected throughout his life. My father was never much into antiques, but his job became figuring out what everything was, and what to price it at. Seeing it all, and trying to sort out what things were and what things were used for has been a joy. Numerous times, we would have an ah-ha moment while pouring over the internet when we discovered the use or origin of the old thing in question! Most of the best stuff has now gone on to collectors of antiquities, and the rest still sits in the old barn gathering dust. Although I never got the bug collection for old stuff, I did gain a love of fine stained woodwork, and can appreciate the craftsmanship of beautifully done finish carpentry. I think seeing the beauty of the wood of the old trunks, and sorting my grandfathers antiques is what finally got me going a little for old things. Also, I must be getting older, or at least old enough to start to appreciate old things. I got interested in these old trunks quite by accident! I remodeled my home office recently, and my wife purchased a cheap small wicker "trunk" in my office to put my many backpacks in. It was way too small to fit them all (I own about 12 backpacks, all for different specific purposes), but I loved the aesthetic & convenience of having them all right there, out of sight but accessible. So I thought -- need a bigger trunk to store this all in, and turned to the internet again and after a couple hours of searching began to really admire old trunks in their many forms. The interest became more time consuming, and pretty soon I was getting as excited about old trunks as I'd seen my grandfather get about anything old! I was pretty hooked, and fear the addiction is only getting worse!

Anyway on that note I'd like to share the first antique I've ever collected, my Romadka Brothers, tin covered, oak slat dome top trunk. The oak leaf embossed tin is simply amazing & its what made me decide to buy this one out of the myriad out there. I've been starting the restoration (as you can see from the last pic), and plan to post pics of the completed project.

I have to give a few shout-outs to people on this forum for their help and encouragement. Greendog has been immensely helpful! I've asked him a million questions and he's helped me to figure things out. Trunkman has also been superb! Thanks guys I really appreciate your thoughts and assistance. My only wish is that my grandfather was still alive, he would have loved these trunks as much as I do.