Posted 12 years ago
Michelle112w
(2 items)
Made of wood and wood slats covered in gold and blue metal embossed with a print that appears to be leaves and blackberries. Has small wheels and rolls. The inside has small flowers tightly patterned Has leather handles on each side.
I would appreciate any information about this trunk I can not find one like it and would love to know the history.
Lovely dome top trunk probably from around the late 1890's early 1900's. There were many makers at the time of this standard (yet higher quality) type of trunk, so knowing who made it is difficult. The latch is unusual so I am wondering if it is a replacement one. (although it looks to be the same age of the trunk so maybe not) Look for signs of holes or the outline of a former latch. I have seen the grape and vine pattern before on other trunks -- very lovely. Hope this helps a bit...
The lock is original. It is a padlock style that was patented by Hillebrand in 1887.
Thanks very much. I wish I had more information about it should I have it redone or leave it original ?
That is a personal choice as you know -- to me it looks in pretty good shape and I like the look and feel of an older "been around" trunk as opposed to a newly painted one. The only concern is the rust on the top, but its hard to tell with the picture how bad it is. A light steel wool to get some rust off and then a little gun oil to change the color and make it look a little better would help.
What you see as rust is really gold metal with the same print. It's like silver and gold mixed then the blue panel in the middle the the gold again. Thanks for the cleaning tip. Do I use gun oil on both the metal and the wood? I love the old look also.
hi michelle
love your trunk -- ted and i restore trunks -- you can visit my postings -- there is information that i have left for others as well as some of our personal trunks that we use in our home-- trunkmans posting also has some information left by others and so does passion4trunks
The gun oil is for the metal only -- and that only where there is some rust. (well -- it would not hurt the tin at all anywhere) You can use tung oil for the wood slats.