Posted 5 years ago
Will.Lovins
(1 item)
Found this sitting beside the road today. It has a Yale and Towne Lock on it and it also has buckles on the sides that left the front fold half way down. I am looking for any information on how to restore it, who made it, and how much it is worth. We are looking to restore it to give to our daughter as a hope chest.
Nice find! Seems to be a standard flat top trunk from around early 1900’s. Without a label it’s hard to know what company made it as there were many. You can clean up the hardware and canvass and use as is or strip off the canvas to expose the pine body. One curious feature... there seems to be an extra latch on the side... does the front panel fold down?
The front does fold down! We noticed that last night when we were looking at it.
Also, Trunkman can I take the lining paper out of the inside to see if there is a label maybe under it?
Agree with Trunkman on date early 1900's, I have learned to avoid these trunks like the plague, because i have run into to many problems with the late 1890's and early 1900 trunks having a layer of fiber like cardboard glued to the wood under the canvas, very hard to remove, if you don't intend to remove the canvas your fine, but don't be surprised if you run into it, just a word of warning, as some trunks are all pine and some are not.
The lining looks original so highly doubtful there would be a label. Most trunks do not have labels. Greendog is right in urging caution with removing canvas from a trunk dated after early 1900’s as I think some manufacturers changed glue type and it becomes extremely difficult. If you want to try that route test a back corner to see how easily it detaches. Once cut around edges it should easily peel off.
The fold down front feature is unusual so that’s kinda cool.
Nice find! Your daughter will love it!