Posted 14 years ago
pinball
(1 item)
Picked this at a flea market in TN. It is very small. Dimensions are 16" long x 10" tall x 9.5" wide. Could it possibly be a doll's trunk or a sample. Never seen one this size. It is in excellent condition overall. All original and solid. Any idea on a value and age? I really love it!!!
Hi, I like your little trunk. I can tell you that these were made as toys because I have collected and researched these for 35 years now. I own three old trunk catalogs from the 1880's to 1900 that show these as Toy Trunks, and made in sizes from 12" to 20" wide. Your trunk originally had a paper covering on it which has been removed and someone has painted it. But the interior is original. These were made from the 1880's until about 1920 in many styles and sizes. Some little trunks of a different style were even made until the 1950's. Many people are starting to call them salesman's samples but nearly all of them were made as toys. Most are also calling them doll trunks, and that's fine but they weren't called that in the catalogs either. Only something very detailed, very high quality and specifically showing a special type of hardware or covering would possibly be a true saleman's sample trunk. These toy trunks were made by the thousands but of course not so many have survived. But just because it's small doesn't mean it was a salesman's sample. Thanks.