Posted 10 years ago
LynnB
(1 item)
Found this last week in a thrift store. It is 32 x 32 x 17. It is in good shape and made by Crouch & Fitzgerald. 5968C is stamped on the plate on the front. I found one online that is similar which they called a sample trunk. Can anyone tell me what type of trunk it is? It could be a steamer trunk but I can't find one like it anywhere and have never seen one like it. I paid practically nothing for it but know it has to be worth quite a bit. The leather is in pretty good shape, just needs some conditioner and the clasps are embossed with NY and C&F. Someone wallpapered it inside but I will remove it. I love it. Any help will be appreciated about this marvelous piece.
A very lovely trunk from a quality maker. C&F often made specialty trunks for musical instruments of which I suspect this is one. The interior which is not shown, under the tray, may have vestiges of straps which would indicate it was meant to hold down something specific. I regret to inform you that the only leather on your trunk is the handles... the body from what I can tell is made of vulcanized fiber -- more durable and made to simulate the look of leather. (now I could be wrong on this as it is hard to tell exactly from the pics) It seems a bit too small and narrow to be a salesman sample trunk -- usually they were big to hold a lot of wares. It most likely was used by a professional as you can see on the front at quality "patch" was made where some damage was done. So a specialty trunk of some kind, maybe musical instrument, maybe salesman trunk -- either way a quality piece from a quality maker. Congrats on the find... I am still on the hunt for one... Welcome to Collectors Weekly!
Thank You. I kept thinking the "leather" seemed odd so I think you are right on that point. I can find no remnants of straps inside. Other than the tray, which comes down from the lid (using leather tabs that unlock it and they are stamped with NY) the interior is empty. I do have to finish stripping the wallpaper. Your explanation also explains the patch which I love. I had never thought about using it for a musical instrument but that would explain why there are no compartments. Thank you so much.
While C&F made specialty trunks, I believe Taylor was more well known for musical instrument trunks. I believe that this was a sample trunk, and have seen several of these with similar dimensions used for shoe sample trunks. Like Trunkman said, the trunk could be covered with fiber. However it also looks like it could be metal covered. Easy enough to check with a magnet. The binding and bands are made from Rawhide and the corners are a C&F patent from Oct 8 1889. I have added several interesting trunk ads on my site here.
http://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/trunk-ads.html
Jim
HMS Antique Trunks