Posted 3 years ago
Mandalee
(1 item)
I don’t know much about this trunk. It was left on a curb with a “free” next to it.
I’d appreciate it if anyone has any knowledge about it, or can recommend helpful websites or books. I’d like to identify it if possible and learn about restorations.
What I do know:
Their is a red sticker that says “patented May 24th 1892”. This makes me believe it could be a Seward.
The metal (tin?) is a grape vine pattern and it continues to the sides and back of the trunk. It is magnetic.
It has small wheels on all of the corners
It has one leather handle intact
The corners have some rust
Measurements: 20.5” wide, 34.5” long, and approximately 26 or 27” tall
That is a beautiful trunk. Don't see one that nice often. Plus it has the inside inserts. I think the metal is zinc.
A great find for "free" .It very well could be a Seward trunk as they were one of the many large manufacturers. Especially seeing the trunk tray patent.This trunk style is considered a cross slat trunk which was originally patented by C.A. Taylor in 1880.The patent and many others were used for many years after by many makers. The Embossed tin,Which appears to have been polished is not zinc. The Grape vine or berry Acanthus pattern is a common one and was widely used.
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US225497-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/USD11524-0.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/9c/52/04/2bd509f150ed7a/USD11523-drawings-page-1.png
The S.E.V. Seward & F.W. Leimberger 1892 patent is for the trunk tray. There were two different configurations
Below are images of the patent that may apply.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/5e/ee/14/04649c6d952ed1/US475617-drawings-page-1.png
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/e9/21/f9/e557ef4ab8d4d6/US475617-drawings-page-2.png
The trunk hardware and latches were more than likely made by J.H. Sessions foundry that owned many of Taylor's
patents.The "S" on the hardware could have been requested by Seward (Although I am doubtful) or it could have been a Sessions foundry mark ,which I believe to be the case.
https://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US255122-0.png
Hope this helps thanks for the post.