Posted 12 years ago
LWRYDER
(1 item)
So I was looking for a trunk to possibly use in our new house that is being constructed right now and I decided to search craigslist. I came upon this little treasure and fell in love with it! It's gorgeous. I'm curious to know it's story though. I've found no markings on it anywhere other than the lock maker. The lock was made by Excelsior and has 5985 stamped on it. I've done as much research as I can on just the lock manufacturer and I'm guessing this trunk could be somewhere around 100 years old? I'm not really interested in restoring it as it shows great "wear" and a beautiful story that I'd love to hear... I am curious as to how much someone thinks it may be worth. I know it's not going to be worth a whole lot due to it's rough shape but what I was impressed with is that while the leather is worn and some is missing, the handles on both sides are both fully intact! Usually they seem to be the first things that are gone, or so I think. Any info on this particular trunk would be appreciated! Thanks in advance
I like it! Looks to be an old flat top, probably from the late 1880's. There were so many of these made, it will be hard to nail down the exact date. These make great furniture items, I have a couple that I use.
It looks as though this trunk has already had some work done. I wonder if the leather is original.
The lady I bought it from stated that her husband bought a storage locker unit and this thing was inside. He was told before bidding that the storage unit was abandoned after 10 years of payment on the items inside. The leather appears to be original as it is dryrotted/cracked out everywhere. The inside of the trunk has what appears to be crummy wall paper lining the inside that definitely "dates" the trunk as ugly as it is. I don't want to peel/pull it out though because I think it adds character to it. If this trunk did have any work done on it previously, it doesn't look to have been done by anyone that knows anything about restoration. Honestly I think that it's just well taken care of for it's age.
It looks to be in really good shape. Is it covered with anything?Are there numbers on the drawbolts?
check out # 191 on this site. I think it is very much like yours. Could yours be cedar?
Someone at some point has taken all of the canvas off of this trunk. It is a 1900's to 1920's trunk. You can tell by the use of stamped metal as opposed to cast iron corner pieces and slat clamps. Most of this type were made of pine but this one does seems to have a cedar look to it -- kinda reddish hue and the cedar wood on these bodies tend to splinter a bit more than pine. Great look the way it is!