Posted 9 years ago
trunkman
(148 items)
A beautiful Kuntzendorf dresser trunk circa 1901. A lovely front opening dresser trunk with fabulous handles and original red interior. The hardware on this trunk is fabulous. I had been looking for a dresser trunk to round out my collection for about 4 years -- just could never seem to find one in my area. I was out of town on a conference and found this one for sale. The veneer on the top had lifted off and two parts were painted with a black stain. I gave it a red mahogany finish to compliment the red trim and red interior. Very pleased with the result... enjoy!
FAB+BEAUTIFUL-STUNNING JOB!!!
=STUNNING!!!!
Wow!
Thanks Sean and toolate2 for the fun comments!!
your very welcome trunkman!!!!!!!
Thanks racer4four, Roycroftbooksfromme1, vetraio50, toolate2, aghcollect, Manikin, kyratango, Devilchild and SEAN68 for the loves...
Very interesting ...
Love the style and beveled top drawer. A nice addition to your already amazing collecion
Wow T-man!! Very awesome indeed! As usual, you did an amazing job on this one. She's a beauty!!
Love it!!! Absolutely beautiful!!
Thanks eye, jscott, JonB and myoldkyhome for the lovely comments...
Thanks walksoftly, blunderbuss2, Alan2310, myoldkyhome, jscott0363, mikelv85 JonB, and eye4beauty for the loves...
Thanks Radegunder, rocker-sd, bjb5859, TheGateKeeper and Trey for the love.
Love the metal latches and design:)
Thanks Trey -- they really came out nice....
I have refinished a lot of trunks and I must say I ammost pleased with this result -- probably in part because of how bad the veneer looked all rumpled and lifted off -- and the black stain on top and one side that made the exterior look hideous. I took a big risk with the red stain -- one of those moments when I put it on and thought -- "crap - big mistake" -- but I told myself to wait till it was all done because I felt the overall effect with the hardware would work. voila!
If this had provenance, how would it read ?
To me it looks like the property of some russian Czar or perhaps some famed theatrical persona... or maybe just widow Dunsbury who lived on Old Orchard ave.
What do you think eye when you see it...
Well, your title directs me ...
So 1901 really hits you eh?.... thought it would :)
Theatrical ... Oh my, and yes 1901 ...
How many of these would be circulating then ?
Not many of these were made -- too expensive -- and this model and maker -- haven't seen another. Theatrical trunks are out there but it took me four years of waiting for one to come up -- unless you go the ebay route -- so in general they are rare.
So, if theatrical, a headliner for sure ?
Well -- one would hope... someone who travelled alot and had cash -- so there is an "odds on" probability...
Company records of mfg. ?
Meh -- just like looking at the trunk -- research is not my bag really -- and I doubt one would find sales records...
Oh ... cool .... Then the story begins ?
That's right... blank slate -- I think I shall start with Widow Dunsbury who had a fabulous imagination... and a granddaughter ballerina... who one day....
Because this is exactly like the one my great grandmother travelled with during ... Hmmm ... I think it was the mid 1920's ... She actually was the second owner ...
Lol ... I told you to. call me first so we could get the story straight !!!!
Are we going with the widow version or the grandmother ?????
Oh wait ... my mom just called and says my great-grandmother's was Donsbury ...
now we are on track.... wish I had more time....
but for now.... her granddaughter danced for a famous dance company in New York... (your grandmother) ---
http://patentimages.storage.googleapis.com/pages/US689824-0.png
Hey T-man ,great trunk. Just got back from Captiva Island and this trunk was what I saw 1st after being of the grid for 10 days (soaking up the sun).Great job.
Charles A Kuntzendorf & Co. was located on W. Van Buren St. Chicago Ill. Across the street from Adams trunk Co. in 1918.
He had patents in 1911 for wardrobe trunk display racks
and Garment holders and hooks in 1912. He does not hold the patent for this dresser trunk as far as I can tell.
The patent for this dresser trunk is patent no.689,824
Dec. 24 1901 by F.V. Lundbeck
Application filed June 11, 1901 hope this helps.
Man of trunks, i can't continue the story because of the scandal that ensued regarding the letter that was left inside ...
Hey T-man just wondering if the bottom drawer opens out as F.V. Lundbreck's patent picture shows. Why else would you need a latch lock at this bottom location?
Fantastic! love it ....
Thanks ozmarty -- she is a beaut!
Thanks ozmarty, Sunnybrook, Drill, bjb5859 and fbninc for the love.
One year later -- Drill -- the bottom does pull out...