Posted 13 years ago
senor_trunk
(28 items)
Brown picture is before, green after.
Canvas flat top I did for the wife, will use as coffee table. Canvas only had minor damage so just cleaned it up, repaired it, polished the edges and painted. Had to do a little woodwork.
Trunker if you see this, the maker was Robert Mcquinn Trunk Co. , eighth street above Chestnut, Philadelphia Pa. Makers and repairers of Trunks. Tried researching but cannot find anything. Wondering if you or anyone else may know anything about them.
I'm guessing trunk is from the turn of the century.
Robert McQuinn was my great great grandfather. I have never seen one of his trunks before, but I was researching to see if I could find anything about them. My dad has one of his business cards.
While researching the Robert McQuinn and Co trunk that we own, I came across the First Industrial Directory of Pennsylvania which was first published in 1913 by the Department of Labor and Industry. Robert McQuinn & Co. of 437 Market Street in Philadelphia is listed under Trunks and Suit Cases. So I know it dates to at least the early 1900's. I'm still trying to figure out when he began production. Our trunk looks exactly like yours, Senor_Trunk, but with the exception of the manufacturing label. We haven't refinished it. I'll keep posting comments if I find further research. Anything that you can add would be greatly appreciated. I'm very, very curious as to the history of these trunks. Emily, would you be able to send a picture of the business card? Or at least post all of the words on the card? This may aid in my research. Thank you!
Also, Emily, any genealogical information that you can provide will be helpful. If you knew when he was born, when he began his business, etc.
wow haven't been on this sight in a while, that is really cool information. your great great granddaddy made beautiful trunks
I am this Robert McQuinn's great grandson. Emily's dad is my cousin, which makes Emily my 2nd cousin or something. Hi Emily, love ya! Anyway, this is what I know: Robert McQuinn was born in Killoony (spelling?) , County Armaugh, (just outside Belfast) Ireland (now Ulster, UK) about 1856. He hopped a ship from Belfast to Philadelphia as far as I can tell though I don't know the date. He was married, with the trunk company in 1883 when my Grandfather was born in Philly. On the 1920 census he appears in Atlantic county or city NJ. He died in the '20s. '30s at the latest. This trunk may (and probably) dates to the late 1800's. when I was a child I helped my Dad clear stuff out of my Grandparent's attic and there were a few McQuinn Trunks. They were solid and of real quality. Only problem was they had sustained rodent damage including urine & feces so they were thrown away. I was only 14 or 15 at the time and have often wished I would have had the knowledge and skill to clean and restore them. I saw an old photo of the business with my Great Grandfather standing in front once around the same time. I'm so Happy Emily has an actual business card. That card is over 100 yrs old. What a find. This is all I know. If I come up with any thing else I'll post it. I'd love to hear of any more info or existing trunks...
By the way, Robert McQuinn's son, also named Robert McQuinn became an accomplished artist designing scenery and costumes for Broadway musicals. He also did covers and layouts for Vogue, House & Garden, The New Yorker and others. He did a popular "children's toy theatre" series for The Delineator in the late teens and early 20's. he illustrated books and works in The Saturday Evening Post as well. Much of his work is becoming valued by collectors today. He was my grandfather and I knew him personally. He passed away at 92 yrs in 1975.
Mr. Mcquinn
Thank you for the information.
Your grandfather made a very nice trunk. when i restored it i was able to save most everything, including most of the original nails.
i did have to put new handles and handle holders on.
someone along the way had painted it brown, but for the most part had taken care of it.
Do you guys have any trunks of your grandfathers?
I would be more than willing to donate this one to you guys if you don't have one. Just a matter of getting it to you.
I don't have any. Nor do my sisters. I don't know if my cousins do, though no one has ever spoken of one. This trunk would be wonderful to have. What is the size? Where are you located? I'm in upstate NY. Siblings in PA & NJ. Cousins in multiple states.
i'll have to measure, but guessing 3 feet long 2 feet wide 3 fee tall, will measure it when i find my tape.
I live in north carolina, near virginia border just south of danville, va
What is involved with shipping a trunk? I know that sounds silly since trunks were made for travel & shipping.
OK, I have to stop and open this post every time I see it so I guess I better give it a love. They didn't put a place to mark I'm Jealous.
LoL fhrjr2... good one. Maybe you should suggest an environs button
I personally would like a *want* button
packing it up and shipping prob ups. im guessing a trunk this size 60 bucks, maybe more.
i can investigate
to where PA
It will go to my sister's house. She has a good place to keep it. Toms River, NJ 08753. Thank You
not good news, if I estimate 40 lbs and the measurements I gave you, the cheapest fedex shipment is 191 dollars. post office maybe 120 if they will mail it
Hi! I am Jeffrey's sister, and my family is so excited about the trunk. I told my kids that my great grandfather made it, and he would be their great great grandfather. Pretty amazing! If you wouldn't mind going to the trouble to ship it, I will gladly pay--Whatever way you can, just let me know. Cheapest is great, as long as it's reliable too. Thank you for such a special gift for our family!
I will be happy to ship it and glad to get it into the McQuinn family again.
I won't be able to do it next week as my son is getting married and we will be out of town. I will make arrangements
for the next week. I will need an address to ship to, also I will have to either ship cod or you would have to make arrangements
to pay the carrier another way before I ship it.
Hope you enjoy it, I enjoyed restoring it.
My email address is Holzapfel3@msn.com. Whenever is convenient for you, please email me and I'll send you my address. Congratulations on your son's wedding!
Here's to señor trunk! What a fabulous story, gift, and gentleman!
thanks trunking, not quite the gentleman yet as I have not been able to get this thing packaged and shipped yet. Just recently had surgery, so its even harder to get it boxed up and to a fedex store than it was before (plus the nearest fedex store is about an hour away. My intentions are still good and hopefully one day I will get back in the family's hands. Hopefully one day I'll be heading north for a trip or they will be heading south for one and we can just meet up and hand it off.
Been awhile since I have been on here. I would really love to get this trunk back in our family. I would be more than willing to arrange everything. Could you give me your email or contact me at mcquinn2@gmail.com?
Be glad for you to have the trunk if you can arrange pickup. I've had several surgerys lately so not getting around well
Senor_trunk
I literally just left an antique store in florida where i purchased a Robert Mcquinn trunk. Upon researching the possible date it was made i ran across your post on here. I will be willing to post pictues for you to look at.
Hi Mandy, thank you for posting. I would love to see some pictures.
I have recently purchased a trunk by Robert McQuinn and have been doing research to find out the age and am lost. I can’t find any information other that this post. Can someone with any information help me out.
Below is a link to Pg.285 in the trade publication "Luggage and Leather goods 1916 It Mentions the opening of a Robert McQuinn store at 4o south 8th street and the closing of the 436 market street location ,both in Philadelphia.Hope this helps.
https://books.google.com/books?id=LJxAAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA285&lpg=RA1-PA285&dq=Robert+McQuinn+trunk+history+luggage+and+leather+goods&source=bl&ots=uMYOStBviR&sig=ACfU3U1s5bsSXMosbabjbZE2Zk6O7idwMw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwjzw7PcgtzmAhXQUt8KHS1SADkQ6AEwAHoECAgQAQ#v=onepage&q=Robert%20McQuinn%20trunk%20history%20luggage%20and%20leather%20goods&f=false
Another 1908 mention of Robert McQuinn pg.29 Luggage and leather goods in the link below.
https://books.google.com/books?id=06VAAQAAMAAJ&pg=RA1-PA29&lpg=RA1-PA29&dq=Robert+McQuinn++trunk+phila.+history&source=bl&ots=O4bakVCfx0&sig=ACfU3U2mQL6uVOo16gA0-fNBdv0xiSoGEw&hl=en&sa=X&ved=2ahUKEwib5PKahtzmAhUJVN8KHbWXB7MQ6AEwAnoECAwQAQ#v=onepage&q=Robert%20McQuinn%20%20trunk%20phila.%20history&f=false
I have a trunk that has a label stating Farley Leather Goods Co. Any connection with Robert McQuinn?