Posted 11 years ago
trunkman
(149 items)
I was fortunate to come across this wonderful Martin Maier original trunk. Martin Maier was an immigrant to the US from Germany in the mid 1800's -- his trade then being a saddle maker. He went on to form a successful trunk company in Detroit. His highly crafted trunks bear his "M" or double "M" cast iron hardware. He is also well known for making high quality oak slat trunks. This trunk has 34 pieces marked with "M" and six across the the with double "M's". It is loaded with hardware, including cast iron fingering all around and his patented cast iron hinges. It also has a rare tin wheat pattern (Source Marvin "This Old Trunk"). Now I have to get to work refinishing it. Someone painted all the tin black so I have to restore its original look. I then need to take off the polyurethane finish on the wood slats and change it to a nice tung oil luster. This trunk has all of the high quality marks of a trunk, including a double cast iron lock and finger lifts and his "Star" motif on the handle clamps. It is a rare piece and I am delighted to have it move center stage in my collection.
It looks like they painted the hardware as well. This is a beautiful trunk and what a great find. I want to see what it looks like after the master is done.
Wow! That is an incredible trunk. What a great find. It's beautiful. I can't wait to see what it looks like when you are done.
What a beauty!!!!!
Thank you for the love and nice comments filmnet myoldkyhome, mikelv85, passion4trunks, officialfuel, sarahoff, Moonstonelover21.
Thanks ttomtucker for the love...
Aw, shucks eye...
Beautiful!!!!
Thanks Sean === glad you like it!!!
Thanks for the love trunkingforfun!
Thanks for the love smiata...
Thanks KathyKay for the love...
Well I did a bit of work to freshen this trunk up. Came out rather well. Thanks kerry10456 for the love.
Thanks petey for the love...
my folks have one that looks very similar to this one.
Thank Signaholic, toolate2 and ho2cultcha for the love...
Thanks longings for the love...
Hey Trunkman, can you look at my trunk and tell me anything about it?
Thanks!
http://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/100808-humpback-trunk-need-to-know-the-era-ple?in=activity
Thanks for the love Aimathena...
Thanks for the love lundy...
Thanks for the love eye...
This is ideal. I want to send my wife North for a vacation but want to do it in style. I wonder if she would fit in this? Naturally I would send it C.O.D. with no return address. Hehehehe! If it is worthy of my wife it is certainly worthy of a love, thanks for sharing.
Too funny fhjr2 -- I will drill some holes in it just for a little more comfort! Thanks for the love.
Thanks BennyCayey for the love...
Thanks for the love Vintage_Joe and Manikin...
Thank you so much Phil -- I know you have a wonderful eye for quality and craftsmanship so coming from you it is a very nice compliment.
Thanks Moonstonelover21 for the love...
Thanks sams2100 and tom61375 for the love.
I keep coming back to this one... its one of the most beautiful trunks I've seen. How did you manage to come by it? Find it at an estate sale or something?
Hi sams -- well a bit of a story on acquisition. I often troll the classifieds for unusual trunks. I saw this one listed as "An Old English Trunk". However it was in a city six hours away. Fortunately for me my brother-in-law happened to work on the same street at the second hand shop it was for sale at and he travelled to that city once a week on business -- he did me a favor and picked it up for me. I had to wait an excruciating week to contact the seller to set it up. I was actually prepared to drive the 12 hour round trip to get it -- that's what an addiction will do to you!
Thank you miederman and pickrknows for the love...
I have never come a cross a trunk like this. If I did, I would have a heart attack, before I could ask how, much. Great find.
Thanks for the nice comment passion4trunks -- I had heart palpitations waiting for the seller to contact me. I could not commit to the drive down to acquire it because I had no confirmation of it being available when I arrived. The brother-in-law option was a lucky development.
Thank you debcut and Kimberly_M for the love...
Trunkman, That is Beautiful.....You replied a year ago to my inquiry on a Trunk. Lol. I havent been back here to collectors weekly since. The Date on the Newspaper in trunk, is 1859. I am gentle when i put it in my truck & take it out.....But its probably best, that i stop giving 4x4 rides on the weekends....This Trunk here, really is "NICE!"
just lovely to look at.....makes my hump trunk look like crap lol
ZZeppelin thanks for the nice comment. You have a trunk from 1859? -- awesome. I looked on your site and did not see it! I can't say that I give my trunks rides on the weekends but some of them do have names...LOL.
Thanks Roycroftbooksfromme1 for the fun comment. I must admit that once I brought this home a bunch of my other finds looked a lot less desirable. I pulled about five from my collection off my site and surrendered them to the public in exchange for hard currency. Have to thin the herd every now and again....
Thanks inky, Radegunder, Roycroftbooksfromme1, JayHow, Jono, ZZeppelin, and JessTheNewbie for the love.
Thanks MarioZ for the love....
That is beautiful!....and a "double locker" to boot! I have been restoring antique trunks for 30 years and never seen one like yours...magnificent example.
Thanks everydassatruday for the lovely comment and AzTom for the love. Always great to come across experienced trunkers with the passion...
Thanks chevy59 for the love...
Thank you Peterdrury and Thoscahaba for the love...
HOLLY COW...WOW.... BREATHTAKING....I don't know what else to say!!!!
Thanks for the lovely comment Trunker,,,
I think ole Martin threw everything he had on this one...
Thanks farmlady for the love... (gee I hope my spouse doesn't take that out of context :) )
Thanks trunker for the love...
Wow, this is an amazing trunk. Too much craftsmanship to count as luggage. Makes one wonder what sort of status, or rather, what 'species' of object a trunk was. Did it serve as an item of "funiture", or was it merely for "transport"? Lovely!!!
How nice miKKo to hear from you -- and thank you for the most lovely comment. I trust you are well and good. (missed hearing from you quite frankly) Yes this wonderful piece of craftsmanship was intended I believe to show status either as a piece of home decoration or as a clear symbol of stature while traveling -- first class of course -- to exotic destinations the world over. I am soooo glad you love it!
Thank you mikko , Jono and fortapache for the love.
Thank you very much, trunkman! I missed meeting you on CW and marveling over your loot and your craftsmanship! Hope all is well with you and yours, and that you all have a happy New Year's!!! Happy hunting in 2014! : ))
Thank you vansyock24 and Sherwood Trunks for the love.
I am so excited to have found this website and specifically your post! Beautiful !!!I have a trunk that belonged to my great-grandmother and have been searching and searching for info on it. I now know it is a Martin Maier because it is extremely similar to your trunk here. My trunk has an alligator pattern in the metal, otherwise nearly identical to your trunk. It is in pretty good condition and I am curious about refurbishing it. Would I be lowering the value by doing so? How important is having a tray inside (mine is missing, but appears to be constructed to accommodate one). How important is it to have the key for the lock (mine is missing)? How would I go about trying to find a key to fit the lock? Would you be able to direct me to some resources that may help me to restore it properly? I would consider myself a complete newby to a project of this sort, so any help provided will be greatly appreciated. I just may be the newest addict in this circle because I so love my trunk! Thanks to all that may post a reply.
My precious LittleOneSmiling (your name calls forth sentiment). Please post several pictures of your Martin Maier Trunk so that many of us can make some comments and add bits of information. I have recently seen a Maier trunk with the alligator pattern, I believe it was on ebay, not too long ago. Your great grandmother gifted you with a special trunk. Once I see the picture of it I will be able to make suggestions for refinishing or refurbishing. It would have been nice of course to have the interior tray -- mine does not have it either. Also great to have a key, but most trunks do not. Not sure how to acquire one other than to bring it to a locksmith to figure out. We welcome you to Collectors Weekly, our newest trunk addict friend -- you are not alone...
I will try to find someone tech saavy enough to get some decent pics to load up. My cell phone is tragically challenged in this area :) I'll be back with pics as soon as I can. Thank you for your quick reply. It is very encouraging.
My pleasure -- looking forward to seeing your heirloom!
Wow amazing trunk.!
Thank you for your nice comment Confused12345... or was that 54321?
Thank you trawls11 for the love...
Thanks Vanessa T for the love...
Thanks Trunker for the love....
Thanks sarahoff for the love....
Thanks Elizabethan for the love... very Shakesperean of you...
Thank you moototwo56 for the love...
wow what a beautiful piece ! :)
Thanks for the lovely comment Luca_db...
Thanks antiquerose for the love....
Can you help me? I have a similar trunk that I have inherited from my late father. I have no idea of where he got it , or even if it is worth something.....
It is completely covered in a pressed patteren metal (unpainted) dome top and has a Corbin lock on front with leather side handles. It also has a tray inside.
I would like to sell it but am unsure of its value!
Hi chez... I can only help you if you post a picture of it... others will comment as well. The trunk in this picture is rare -- does yours have "M's" on the hardware?
Thank you nittygritty1962 and pops52pops52 for the love.
Jaw dropping... Wow! Among the most beautiful trunks I have seen.
It would look so nice in my living room hehe.
Congrats on the outstanding find!
That is a beautiful piece of craftsmanship. How much does that trunk weigh? Gotta be 35-40 lbs empty. Very very nice .
Thank you PhilDavidAlexanderMorris for the love...
Thanks charmsomeone for the love...
Thanks fortheloveofdog for the love....
Thank you icollectglasandothervariousobjectsofinterest for the love... indubitably...
Thanks clockerman for the love...
Thank you Gaurdian for the love...
Thanks Parkerhouse for the love...
Absolutely stunning! Gobsmacked!
Thank Maryenda for the love...
Thank you astralmind for the love...
Thank you vetraio50 for the love...
Thanks robij for the love...
Thanks Ilikeart for the Iliketrunk....
I did some work on the hardware and took off the rust... came out very nice.
Thank you Vathis for the love...
Let me guess ... That fish in your profile picture jumped out of the river and right into your hands one Sunday morning on your weekly nature walk, the one you take before your Sunday afternoon curb search.
LMAO!!!!!!!
Russ -- I had my son throw it to me so I could legitimately tell my wife I caught it while fishing....
Lol ... How did you get the fish to look at the camera and smile ?
Thank you Peasejean55 for the love...
Thanks for the love chilligirl and bistrodesign....
Thanks ron1939 and passion4trunks for the love...
That's absolutely INCREDIBLE trunkman!! Thank for sharing.
Thanks jscott0363 and CindB for the love...
Thanks for the love PatSea.... :)
Thanks so much lndrozdenko and bjb5859 for the love...
Thanks Buckskin for the love...
Thanks Nicefice for the love...
Off-The-Charts GORGEOUS!
Celiene -- thanks for the awesome comment.... :)
Thanks kivatinitz and Destiny.Jennifer.g. for the loves...
Thanks buckethead for the love....
Hi Trunkman, Just came across this MM, WOW! You were on to the idea of totally silver before I did the Secor..and this one is a much superior piece, nice work! Is this just a hobby of yours?
Thanks randallbarbera, this is the second MM I have, still waiting to redo the black one listed a few weeks back. This is a total hobby for me -- have to sell the occasional one due to lack of space but really tinkering with them for fun and pleasure. This one really does stand out however -- totally loaded with hardware.
Thanks for the loves lisali1919, Vintagefran, Blasmanis, greendog and bjb5859 !
Thanks for the love AnnaB and Belvedere much appreciated.
Thanks jackart and Caperkid for the loves..
Now that's some detailed trim. I would love to find one of these babies. Excellent job on the overall flavor!
Thanks for the love im4anythingold...
Thanks for the love gatekeeper!
Thanks for the love Giasole..
Holy cow trunkman it took me an hour to scroll to the bottom of this page...it must be a good trunk!! lol
Too funny! Yah it’s been around awhile... this one has over a thousand hits on Pinterest!
Actually picked up this beauty in Burlington!
That was quite the dive then for you I'll say. Well worth it though for sure, beautiful piece. I can understand a 1000 hits. Its a favorite of mine.
I am brand new to the world of these wonderful old chests and want to buy and restore a few. As you are obviously the master, any resources/ articles you could point me towards? BTW this piece is one of the best I've seen!!
Wow! You are my 100th like !! Thanks so much for your kind words. Once you spend a bit more time on this site you will discover some true master’s of restoration whose sandals I am unworthy to untie. I just have fun and make it the way I like which requires minimal effort for the most part - and I like my trunks looking a bit worn. There is a collective knowledge on this site so post a project and we can all chip in on some aspect of repair restoration or refinish. My email is in my intro so feel free to drop me a note anytime. Thanks again and welcome to collectors weekly!
@trunkman - I have the exact same truck down here in New Zealand....wheat pattern and all! I also have the inner shelf and until 15 years ago had the key, however with care I can pick the lock. I inherited mine from my English Grandparents who told me it belonged to my Great Grandfather. He lived in the US for some time and purchased this trunk to move back to the UK. My Grandparents immigrated to NZ in the 70’s and as a child we were never to see inside it. Any more history about this particular trunk is greatly appreciated.
Awesome you have the same one... would love to see a pic... particularly of the interior tray. Wish I knew more about this one but other than what’s posted that’s about it. Hard to find much background on makers let alone specific trunks or styles of them. Thanks for letting me know the old girl has a twin sister!!
Just posted some pics
https://www.collectorsweekly.com/stories/270848-mm-secor-tin-trunk-in-nz
Beautiful trunk. I have the same looking trunk but mine is not as ornate nor does it have the "M". It was passed down (?generations) but without a key and was accidentally locked by movers. I don't want to cut it open but have failed finding a key or locksmith. I recently visited locksmiths, antique stores, and architectural salvage store. I would greatly appreciate any suggestions on opening. I really want to restore and again use my trunk.
Hmmm... that’s a bit of a dilemma for sure. Is there a serial number on the lock? Also you could post a pic of the trunk with a close up of the lock and ask is any members know where a key might be ascertained. Best of luck!
Thank you trunkman. I decided to pry the lock brass cover up and the pin dislodged. It was then ease to opens with an old key with a flag. Once the brass is pushed back down it will be a little marred, I mean rustic, like the rest of the chest. There was no serial number or really any labels. Got a lot of comments from locksmiths to "pick the lock" unfortunately I can't seem to pick my way out of a paper bag. Can't wait to start my project.
Sounds like you are off to a good start.. make sure to let us see the results!
Trunkman is still here! My giant trunk is STILL in the shed. I am trying to liquidate tons of stuff! Maybe this summer I'll get to it!
Always good to have a project in hand... I’ve got one that’s been in the garage for four years waiting... waiting..