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19th Century Patent Leather Document Box/Hand Trunk

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    Posted 7 years ago

    jscott0363
    (886 items)

    Hello fellow collectors!!

    I recently came across this little patent leather covered document box/hand trunk from the 19th century. This one is in it's 100% original state. I was amazed at the condition of the exterior when I saw it. So many brass studs that I couldn't begin to count them all. The front, sides, top and back are all identically studded with brass tacks. The handle is solid brass, as well as the hinges. It still retains it's original key and the lock works beautifully!

    The interior is quite beautiful, though there is a bit of staining in the bottom, I'm willing to overlook that. I've done nothing to this one but give the exterior a good wiping down. Surprisingly enough, it needed nothing more. Though it appears to be black in the photos, it's actually a nice dark brown in color.

    Some refer to these as "document boxes" while others refer to these as "hand trunks". Since this one is a bit larger than the average document box (18" long, 10 1/2" wide and 6 1/2" tall) I'll refer to this one as a hand trunk.

    Thanks very much for stopping to have a look!!

    Scott

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    Comments

    1. greendog greendog, 7 years ago
      Really nice Document box Scotty, I believe this would have been a personal document box for a somewhat well to do individual, used in the home for personal papers, anything of importance. I think from the lithograph inside and the studding I'am going to say late 1890's to early 1900's, but that's just my feelings. Great find, love it.
    2. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Another beautiful trunk Scotty do you have any your still looking for to add to your collection style , maker or brand name im going back east Saturday morning have seen lots for sale on kijiji there i could have a look for you r.clarke@hotmail.ca if you can think of any let me know
      Roy
    3. trunkman trunkman, 7 years ago
      Again with the beautiful pristine find!! Really fabulous example of a document/hand box -- actually never heard the term "handbox" so something new for me. Lovely....
    4. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      greendog,
      Thanks friend for the kind comment, the appreciation and for stopping in. Always truly appreciation.
    5. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Roy,
      Thanks very much! I still haven't added a Goyard or a Louis Vuitton to my collection, but those are just not in the budget right now. Gotta get my two fellas out of college first.
    6. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      trunkman,
      Thanks very much as always! I've seen the smaller ones called document boxes and the larger ones called hand trunks. I just assumed this would be a hand trunk due to it's larger size. Thanks again!!!!!
    7. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      Lol ok my friend ill keep you posted if i find anything unique if you email me ill send some pics.
    8. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thomas,
      Thanks friend! Glad you like it.
    9. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks everyone for the loves and appreciations

      Thomas

      grendog

      Roy

      trunkman

      Drill

      vetraio

      Bonnie

      and

      Rob

      And thank y'all for stopping by. Many thanks to you all!!!
    10. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Roy,
      My email address is on my profile. I'd definitely appreciate the emails and the photos. I just love trunks!!!!
    11. Caperkid, 7 years ago
      No problem hope the hunting is good my aunt has set me up with a bunch of potential picks and estate sales.
    12. pops52 pops52, 7 years ago
      Definitely love this!
    13. kyratango kyratango, 7 years ago
      Truly amazing condition and beauty! Your collection is so desirable! :-))
    14. racer4four racer4four, 7 years ago
      A great find Scott. Obviously treasured by someone before you, and I know will continue to be so.
    15. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Pops,
      Thanks very much! Glad you like it.
    16. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Kyra,
      Thanks very much for the lovely comment. So glad you like my collection.
    17. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Karen,
      Thanks! Yes, it was evidently treasured by the original owners for sure. It's being well taken care of here as well. Thanks again!!!!!!
    18. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks for the loves everyone

      Mike

      BB2

      FatBoy

      Pops (and for the great comment)

      Judy

      Kyra (and for the lovely comment)

      and

      Karen (and for the wonderful comment)

      And thank you all for stopping by. Many many thanks to you all!!
    19. NevadaBlades, 7 years ago
      The condition is pretty amazing! Great find, Scott! [;>)
    20. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks very much for the loves everyone

      kivatinitz


      fleafinder

      and

      NevadaBlades (And for the nice comment!)

      And thank you all for stopping in. Always very much appreciated!!
    21. Drill Drill, 7 years ago
      Just some food for thought and of course I could be wrong, I think this tack trunk may be a bit older 1840s to 1860s , The pulled back hairstyles of the working women as well as their overall dress in the lithography, appear to be 1860ish I have found numerous photos of women churning butter 1850s and older.That Tea /indigo blue was popular among those with "means" at the time.

      https://witness2fashion.files.wordpress.com/2015/09/vww-photo-c-1854-56-rejlander132.jpg?w=500

      https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/e7/d3/e9/e7d3e95cd0529b69996ae66349fd355a.jpg

      This document box looks english to me.I have seen this lock and handle before on 1st Dibs .I will look further. The type of key may also be able to give a clue to age.
    22. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Drill,
      Thanks friend!! I believed all along that this was older than 1890. I totally agree with you on the hair styles of that period and you link definitely confirm that.
      I just posted a pic of the key that came with this. It operates the lock just beautifully, especially after a bit of lubrication.
      Let me know what you think. And thanks again for the information.
    23. Rick55 Rick55, 7 years ago
      Great trunk Scott! You know what really impresses me? It's the beautiful condition of the interior... No rips, not tears and no gluing.. lucky you!
    24. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Thanks Rick!!
      I love it when I find one in this condition and all that's needed is a bit of cleaning. I see so many that are so deteriorated that no amount of restoration could bring back to life. Thanks again for the appreciation, the comment and for stopping in. Always sincerely appreciated!!
    25. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      fortapache,
      Thanks very much for the appreciation friend and for stopping by as well. Many thanks!!
    26. Drill Drill, 7 years ago
      http://geraldmathias.com/wp-content/uploads/2016/05/9197-1.jpg

      Scott this is as close to your document box as I could get on the web. As always I think it is
      best to find comparable items.This one claims to be an 18th century Georgian leather There are many similar characteristics including the key. If you search:
      "Leather Document box images 1800s" many items come up some stating 18th and early 19th century. Most of the boxes that I find from this time have British lock hardware,but not all.
      Some boxes claiming 1790s to 1820s ,I still like the 1860s hairstyle hunch I mentioned previously.Here is another with similar handle hardware.Hope this helps
      a little.
      https://s-media-cache-ak0.pinimg.com/564x/44/2a/02/442a0241b2ac66afba48d45bd72fd204.jpg
    27. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Drill,
      The first pic is a very close resemblance to mine. Like you, I too am like the idea of the 1860 hair style. Also, judging by the very ornate wallpaper lining I'd have to believe that this is from that period. I have trunks from the 1900 period and by that time the wallpaper linings had became very simple and plain, unlike the lining in this one. So, I'll go with the 1860 period on this one.
      Thanks for all your help and thanks for the awesome craigslist links. I found a sole leather trunk for $50 in Louisville yesterday, but the leather was far too roached to even dream of saving.
    28. OneGoodFind OneGoodFind, 7 years ago
      What a great piece Scott. Got me to get out the tape measure. Amazing comments also. It's very interesting and lovely. :)
    29. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      OneGoodFind,
      Thanks for the great comment. Glad you like the box. Thanks also for the love and for always supporting my posts. Very much appreciated!!!
    30. greendog greendog, 7 years ago
      Hey Scotty I owe you an apology, after reading back over all the comments on your document box I realized that I misquoted the date as 1890 to 1900 sorry, that date was intended for my hammered trunk that I posted after your document box, I meant to say mid 1800's for your box, makes me look like a fool but it was an honest mistake, working on two things at the same time I guess. Looks like Drill did a lot of extra work because of it, sorry to you Drill. I do agree with Drill that it is probably English or at least European made, again sorry for the confusion.
    31. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      greendog,
      No apologies needed here. At first, I thought that this would be from the 1890 period, but after doing a lot of research on this, I found that this was more like the mid-1800's period and Drill pretty much confirmed that. Trust me when I say that I have missed the date on many trunks and I've been collecting for several years now. Some are just extremely hard to put a date on.
      I always welcome everyone's opinion, biased or unbiased. Your collection is totally AWESOME and you do truly incredible work. You go to lengths that I would never be able to compare with. Keep up the great work and the incredible posts my friend!!!
      Scotty
    32. greendog greendog, 7 years ago
      Thanks Scotty.
    33. Drill Drill, 7 years ago
      No apologies ever needed here, this forum is for all opinions right or wrong/half rights and wrongs are Ok too.There is nothing to say that I am correct,as I have been wrong many times.I just like to attempt to be helpful.
      I really enjoy searching for all types of treasure/info on these items.
      I am in agreement with what Scott said above, "keep up the great work".
    34. greendog greendog, 7 years ago
      Thanks Drill.
    35. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Totally concur with Drill!!
    36. jscott0363 jscott0363, 7 years ago
      Anna,
      Thanks so much for the love and for taking time to stop in. Always greatly appreciated!!!

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