1880's J. Eveleigh Montreal Leather Barrel Stave Trunk

Picked this up the other day, bit of personal struggle to do so, but the excellent exterior leather condition made up for it. It measures in at 34" Long x 22" Deep x 30" Tall. The only damage to the surface of the leather is the dime size spot (if that) on the back and a small crack on one lid top panel. Both original handles. All four good working wheels. Stunning ornate Corbin Cabinet Lock Co. lock with J Eveleigh & Co. embossed lock receiver. Double front and top nail work. Both original leather lid lifts with small floral dots. The interior foundation is for the most part intact with a fold down box in the lid and envelope on the face. I have encountered these large slat clamps before on a few of my trunks. This is my second J. Eveleigh trunk the other being the small half trunk. This one however makes for a nice addition to my example collection, as it stands for now. They did do quality work... hope you enjoy seeing it..

History snip-it: I have posted a label (photo 4) from the trunk also shown that I had seen for sale having this J. Eveleigh paper label. Most and if not all documentation including their own company label used on trunks in the 1940's and 50's regarding the founding of this company states 1870. I found this label interesting as it states they won a medal in the 1867 Paris Exposition. Personally having done countless trade shows, and I know that preparation for such an exposition are done well in advance of the actual show and more so back then with horse and steamship travel. Also one would have the facility already with understanding of their process and what they are making intact, I would think, before entering any kind of show, which pushes the date earlier from the 1867 by a couple of years easy. So again, if the label is true, they were established earlier than the 1870 dates always shown, maybe they became a corporation in 1870 therefore stuck to that date & just a sole proprietor before that. Just found this interesting & puzzling.

Internet history snip-it: There is very little information available about this company. It seems that one John Eveleigh was born in Hereford, England in 1765, moving to Ireland where all of his children were born before emigrating to Montreal, Quebec. One of his descendants, Joseph, remained in this city and founded the luggage company in 1870. In the days of lengthy travel by steamship and rail, there was obviously a huge demand for traveler's trunks.