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My Grandmothers trunk

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myoldkyhome's loves211 of 280Antique trunk1897 Vanderman Co. railroad strong box
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    Posted 11 years ago

    jessiedell
    (4 items)

    I'm sure my Grandmother owned this trunk before she married my Grandfather in 1905. I'm told it is a steamer trunk. Right now I am trying to clean off the rust and not damage anything. On the inside of the trunk where the damp hadn't got to it the metal has a shiny copper look. I will have more pics later. I would appreciate any info I could get on it.

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    Comments

    1. trunkman trunkman, 11 years ago
      Lovely early 1900's "bevel" top trunk with a "dogwood" slat clamp pattern. Actually, upon closer inspection it appears as though the clamps are cast iron and not stamped metal, which would date this late 1880's or 1890's. (the patent date merely suggests date of patent but not necessarily when it was manufactured) The bevel top trunk is a rarer form of trunk type not seen too often. Great heirloom!
    2. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      Thank you trunk man
    3. walksoftly walksoftly, 11 years ago
      Great trunk, appears to be in great shape, nice family treasure!

      @trunkman, have another look at those clamps, the materials is formed down over the side of the slat & is much to thin to be cast. IMHO, no disrespect intended.
    4. trunkman trunkman, 11 years ago
      I saw at first what you saw, then it seemed the rest looked thicker -- and I usually never see a patent date on the tin ones. However it does look like tin. Perhaps jessiedell can tell us. I will never mind being corrected :) . (great eye walksoftly!!)
    5. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      Thank you to both of you. I am not expert enough to know the answer. When I have better info I will let you know.
    6. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      The metal that wraps around both ends of the trunk is smooth in texture whereas the clamps are of a rough texture. Does that tell you anything?
    7. walksoftly walksoftly, 11 years ago
      Not really the roughness could come from rusting over the decades.
    8. myoldkyhome myoldkyhome, 11 years ago
      Beautiful heirloom!
    9. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      Thank you myoldkyhome. You have some beautiful things. I am following you. I love these trunks. This trunk I have has been in the basement for 40 years. 11 years since I have been here. I finally thought to look at it and se if I had something. It looks as if I do.
    10. newandold, 11 years ago
      We just picked up one very similar to this one with a flat top. We saw a much smaller version at an antiques show and the seller says is was 1880s. The wheels were patented in 1855. We love it and plan to use it in our home, so value doesn't really matter but we'd like to know who made these trunks and the approximate year.
    11. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      I too would love to know who made these trunks. The clamps on mine were patented in March 1880. I don know about the wheels. They are very small. Any info I come up with I will for sure let you know and I would appreciate likewise.
    12. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      I have removed most of the rust from my trunk. I'm working carefully to try and bring life back to the metal on it. It is starting to look much better. Pictures later. Any tips would be appreciated.
    13. trunkman trunkman, 11 years ago
      I always use gun oil on my metal pieces to give a little luster-- works great.
    14. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      Thank you. I'm going to do that.
    15. trunkingforfun, 11 years ago
      I have a trunk that is not similar in style but has similar paper on the inside. Different lithograph but same background paper and trim. The date is 1880-1890 as the hardware is cast. I do not know if this is meaningful but it is just so much fun to compare and learn.
    16. jessiedell jessiedell, 11 years ago
      Thank you trunckman. It is fun to compare. I have used your tip on the gun oil. It improves the look of the metal greatly.

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