Posted 11 years ago
passion4tr…
(21 items)
I don't know if this is a Camel back, Dome top. Round, or Curved. There are so many names out there. I am now totally confused.
The trunk is in excellent structural condition inside and out.
32"L X 18.5"W X 24"H This trunk might date around 1890?
My problem is with the color (greenish yellow) with flowers and a scroll design stamped on tin. Flip locks on both sides of the middle lock, I have not seen before on this type of trunk. I am not an expert, so that last commit holds little weight.
Can any one direct me to or tell me if the green is the right color. And How can I find this type of lock. I have look on the all of the top sites for hardware. I can not find the latches. This makes me think they are NOT Old.
Any help you are will to give. I am willing to listen.
Thank you.
ted and i have restored over 50 trunks -- so will share a bit of information in regards to what we have learned
the lingo -- camel - hump - curved -- in our opinion it depends on who you talk to and how persnickity they are -- we as collectors often times fall into the lingo trap -- dolls vs figurines -- uranium glass vs vaseline glass -- yada yada yada -- you say tomaeto -- i say tomatoe -- really in my opinion it does not mean dip what squat as long as each party gets the mental picture of what is being described
now to share what is really important -- you are correct on the age -- these trunks can date from the civil war to around the 1890s -- if you plan to restore it and take off the locks you will find patent numbers and perhaps even the locksmith's name -- a search of the the us government patent numbers will help date the trunk
a trip to the library will also help with your trunk -- some great resources to check out are
1. antique trunks -- identification & price guide by linda edelstein & paul pat morse
ISBN 0-87349-646-9
2. antique trunks "a time line of trunks 1770 - 1930" evaluation & price guide also by the above authors -- ISBN 0-9709883-03
3. antique trunks - refinish - repair - restore -- ditto on the authors
ISBN 0-9709883-1-1
the color -- based on your pics -- particularly the second one -- i would guess that at sometime this trunk has been repainted -- the sides look original the top looks like it has be redone -- look at the wooden slats -- no matter how good the tape job -- paint is going to do what paint does best -- go everywhere but where you would like it to go -- that is why when we restore our trunks they are totally gutted and the slats removed for standing and staining and then the trunk is all placed back together -- nail by nail -- board by board
the "locks" -- your trunk has only one lock -- the other two are what is known as hasp -- they offer no security other that to keep the lid closed
we have a few trunks posted on our site here on cw if you would like to take a peek -- and by the way -- this style of trunk with the embossed metal has been and is one of my favs to restore -- when done with pride and time -- they are real beauties in the home
if you are planning on restoring it -- ebay offers many vendors that can supply you with the parts -- just search "antique trunks" and the whole bailey wick will come up -- from parts to trunks
hope this helps -- if you have more questions please feel free to post something on our cw site
thanks for loving the embossed trunk -- yes to bring the embossed work back we remove the original paint -- paint with an auto body spray paint in a dark color such as a dark grey or black and then begins the fun -- hours and hours of buffing with 000 steel wool to remove the paint off the raised part of the embossed metal -- go too deep with the buffing and it is a redo -- we usually have over 60 hours in one of these by the time we finish -- that includes all restoration work both inside and out from start to finish
Thank you for all the help. It will be very useful. For information I was needing. I used to always go to the library. It's time I returned to the original Information Highway.
Thank again.
your most welcome passion4trunks -- we still use the library a lot -- always fun to visit the coffee shop in ours and catch up with the good ole boys gang -- ted and i are terrible teasers -- got that fishing pole of yours packed -- the lights on -- guest rooms ready
hey if we miss contact before the holidays -- wishing you all the very best
autumn & ted
epson233, officialfuel, trunkman, myoldkyhome, and BELLIN68 for all the love.