Old Trunks
07.21.06 By Lorraine Newberry
I’ve encountered several antique trunks at antique auctions and antique shops. To me, they exude an alluring sense of adventure and bring to mind images of excited travelers embarking on long sea voyages or stagecoach trips
Trunks have been in use since the 1600s but became more common in the 1700s. When people traveled they were often gone for months at a time and used the roomy trunks to carry the clothing and belongings needed on the long trip.
Like anything else, trunks went through trends and different styles were popular. Some had flat tops while others were domed. There were different types of wood trunks as well as trunks covered in fine leather or canvas. Some used shiny brass clasps and accents, others featured iron bands like those made popular by the trunks used by famous actress Jenny Lind in the mid 1800s. Trunks came in different sizes – large trunks for wardrobes, smaller trunks for hats. There were even pint sized doll trunks, “just like mother’s.” Although some refer to all old trunks as steamer trunks, this is actually a misnomer since a steamer trunk is a particular type of low trunk with a flat top.
On the inside the trunks were usually lined with decorative paper, fabric or even newspapers. They often contained different compartments or drawers for separating belongings. Trunks made in factories in the late 1800s often have manufacturers labels, but earlier trunks usually do not. Many of the dome top trunks contain pictures on the underside of the lid, often portraits of women and children or landscape scenes.
The average trunk received a beating while it was in use and many of the trunks you’ll encounter today are in some state of disrepair. While many appreciate the appeal and sense of history of a well-used trunk, there are numerous fine trunk restorers that can return a trunk to gleaming beauty.
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