Posted 10 years ago
artbyjackie1
(2 items)
I began to research pricing for the trunk, because I was going to sell it , as is, and then, curiosity got the better of me. This was "restored" at least once, because it was lined with a "shabby chic" style wallpaper, which I removed. I noticed in my research , trunks typically had graphics on the inside of the top, so I was curious to see if this one had graphics under the wallpaper. When I took the wallpaper off , what a happy surprise I had. There were the original lithographs, on the top and around the drawer! Wow! Pic#1 shows the front, with rust on the front. Pic#2 you can see the litho's, Pic#3 shows one intact handle, the leather is missing from the other one, Pic#4 shows the lock with the imprint "Patented 1873" is how I read it. The "army green" paint , I believe is original because the lithos are on top of it. the painted readily peeled off with the steam I was using to remove the wallpaper. I was wondering if anyone knows what kind of paint would be used in this time period? It did not smell like I was dealing with an oil base paint. Any ideas??
Lovely old trunk. Probably milk paint was used in the interior. The date on the latch was the patent date for the design of the latch, so the trunk most likely was made several years following, perhaps in the late 1880's -- early 1890's. A worthy restoration trunk -- good luck with the project!!!! (Welcome to Collector's Weekly!)
Thank you "trunkman", for the feedback.
Milk paint would make sense, I knew it couldn't be latex, and it wasn't oil. I just ordered the book by Pat Morse and Linda Edelstien: Antique Trunks: Refinish, Repair, Restore. So, I'm into it. :) Finding those lithographs did it! It was so exciting ! I hope I can find an original picture of this trunk to go by. Funny, I watched an old movie last night , "Good-Bye Mr. Chips" , set in the Victorian Age, late 1800's, and there was a train scene, and there was a trunk on the screen, which looked very similar to the one I'm working on!
Ohhh you have the "Trunkbug" -- I always notice the trunks in movies now! Your trunk is in fairly original state -- the interior tray is missing which would have had a rounded interior that was custom fit to the trunk, and there was a lid over that lithograph at one point. Fine steel wool will help get the rust off the front -- glad to hear you bought the restoration book -- it will be a big help.... good luck!