Posted 4 years ago
LoBobAndCl…
(1 item)
Hello Collectors! We are brand new to this website but have been collectors for many years now. Excited to be here!
We bought this trunk from a friend of ours who believed it was an old instrument case, perhaps once containing a tuba. We speculate that it is an old shoe shiner’s trunk, but that’s just a guess. There are no words on any part of it from what we can tell. We recently refinished the lining ourselves.
Does anyone have any knowledge as to what this trunk might have been used for originally? We would like to eventually restore it, but want to keep its original integrity in mind as we do so.
Thanks!
Joseph and Logan
Any guidance or guesses are much appreciated!
Trunks have a long history, they come in many shapes and sizes. The metal hardware is stamped not cast iron so it's 1900's forward to the 1940's even 50's. Without a label it's impossible to say who made it. There were hundreds of makers during that time frame.
Many would make specialty cases and sample trunks, names such as : Ajax, Beals and Selkirk , ABC,American trunk co. ,Taylor & Ideal just to name a few. They also made custom instrument cases for tubas, sousaphones, drums, harps,
& large photographic cameras as well. I would imagine if this was an instrument case there would have been interior protectors for the instrument.They could have been removed. There were theatrical and circus trunks as well. If you needed to transport larger items by rail or ocean liner they would custom build a trunk for you. My guess is an instrument trunk of some type, but it could have housed other things we may never know. Hope this helps Thanks for the post. The links below are just some images of trunk patents that express the many shapes and uses.There are many more, Enjoy.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/01/10/6c/1bda5e2ded76de/US1352814-drawings-page-1.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US140548-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US784601-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US762636-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US790669-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/f0/14/fa/f8bcc1bb346a89/US65937-drawings-page-1.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US529793-1.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US213308-0.png
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US1590586-0.png
Welcome to CW! There are several trunk addicts on this site, so I am sure you will get more input.
Thanks for the comprehensive response, Drill; what odd and fascinating trunk images you’ve found. Our new hobby is perusing these old patents, thanks to you, and we will keep our eyes peeled for something similar TK the one in this post. Thanks again!