Posted 13 years ago
pickerathe…
(1 item)
The trunk was bought from an antique store in Clinton, TN but nothing was known about the piece. It has either a name or brand on the top left that reads E.BAETENS and underneath that DETR and other letters that cannot be made out. On the back hinges it says PAT JULY 1485 and on the left side it says something like PATAP PLO FOR. Again, that may be way off put its as close as I could get to what it says. Inside the trunk has what seems to be a sticker with a little girl holding a bouquet of flowers with a St. Brenard dog behind her. There is another piece that has a sticker of red, white, and pink roses. The lock is a pad lock with a skeleton key insert, the lock reads Corbin Cabinet Lock Company, New Britain, Conn. I am not sure if the piece has history or anything I would just like to hear what a professional knows about the piece. Thank you very much.
nice trunk, i am no professional but the E. Battens DETR is more than likely a persons name from Detroit. Very common for people to put thier name and city on the side of trunks. Sometimes its fun to google that name and city from the mid 1800's to early 1900's to see if they have any history. The inside looks as if it is lined in linen, if thats the case it probably was built by a very fine trunk maker (if its original linen). Looks like it has some very nice hardware and alot of it, another indication of a good trunk maker. Corbin locks were very common, but one of the better lock makers. Trunk looks in excellent shape. Wish it had the tray, looks like it may have had a hat box on the tray. Of course its a dome top, but I believe due to the linen and hardware it may be a Victorian Ladies or possibly a Wedding Trunk.
Trunker Marvin at this Old Trunk views these sights. If you can get in touch with him I feel sure he can give you a better idea. Would like to see more pictures, close ups of the other writing, hardware and hinges. You want to sell or restore it?
I have a trunk that looks very similar to this. The inside is almost identical except the photo is different and detail is red. I stumbled across your post while researching mine trying to figure out some history on it. How very interesting. It also has the same lock on it. Corbin Cabinet Lock Co. New Britain Conn US