Posted 4 years ago
JHopper
(1 item)
I don't know much about this trunk other than it belonged to one of my grandparents or their parents who all immigrated from Germany. The lock says Patented Mar, 69 & APR, 77. The slat clamps say Patented Mar.16.80. It has little wheels on the bottom and they are all flat on one side. It is large (approx. 36"W x 21"D x 29"H @ tallest point)
I would love to learn more about this type of trunk if anyone is more knowledgeable than I. Where would a trunk maker put a maker's mark? I would also love to find an original key if anyone has any leads.
well the trunk is American made, American trunk makers sent hundreds of thousands of trunks to Europe to be bought by immigrants that came to America. The patent date on the slat clamps is MAR, 16, 80, Patented by Charles Taylor, the front latches were patented in 1882 by Taylor, it has a nice embossed tin that I have not seen before probably patented mid to late 1880's, even though it has all of these early patent dates on the hardware, the hardware was used for decades into the early 1900's because of the flat crown like finger hardware on the top edges I believe this trunk is from around late 1890's give or take a bit, this trunk was sold as a fancy tin travel trunk, without a makers label impossible to say who the maker was, flat keys for trunks are harder to find than a barrel key, you can look for a key number on the lock but I doubt if you will find one, hope this helps.
Beautiful embossed design on this trunk. I Love It !
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/b9/ac/17/e86023bc350a48/US408462-drawings-page-1.png
Above is a patent for the arrangement of slats that may apply.
I recall others in the past referring to this floral tin pattern as "Morning glory".
A Keeper for sure. Thanks for the post.