Cherished by collectors of primitives for their historic provenance and adored by decorators for their versatility, trunks are once again seeing a surge in sales.
Although trunks have been made for centuries, it was the Victorian era that would bring them into popularity in America. The late 1800s were a time of travel and adventure. Cross-county railroads made it possible for the masses to see the country in comfort and style, and for the affluent to travel in luxury to other continents by ocean liner. As travel grew in popularity, the trunk became a necessity and manufacturers, both here and abroad, stepped up to meet the demand.
Here are five of the more popular styles of collectible trunks.
Flat top trunks are one of the most common finds as they were manufactured by the thousands. These sturdy chests are commonly made from wood and leather but you will occasionally find one made of canvas or a water-repellent fabric. By design these are utilitarian pieces that were made to stack and are often scratched or dented.
Steamer trunks (named for their wide use on steam ships) were flat top and made to stand on end. When opened they revealed a set of drawers on one side and a place to hang clothes on the other. You will find them covered in canvas, leather or patterned paper. These “mini-closets” first appeared in the late 1860s and were manufactured until around 1920.
Dome-top trunks, also know as round top, camel back or barrel trunks, were used for home storage and are often found in very nice condition. They are easily identified by a curved top that sits 25-30 inches in height. These decorative pieces were proudly displayed in a prominent place in Victorian era homes and often passed down from generation to generation. They feature elaborately embossed tin inserts, a lift out tray and beautiful interior graphics. Most of these were made from 1870-1900, but a few are still being manufactured today so look closely to avoid reproductions.
Wall trunks were designed with a hinged mechanism that allows them to be opened in a confined space. Unlike trunks with large lids these could be pushed up against a wall — a space saving feature that made them very popular. The main manufacturers of wall trunks were Clinton and Miller, both of which marked the hinges with their names.
Hat trunks, also called half-trunks, were at the height of their popularity from 1860 to 1890. Much smaller than other trunks, they measure 22” by 17” and stand 19” high. In an era where women considered hats a vital part of their wardrobe these were usually carry-on luggage and would hold 5-6 hats or bonnets. A large percentage of these were manufactured in Providence, Rhode Island or Boston, Massachusetts but examples may also be found from European luggage companies. They are a rare find, making them quite costly.
While age, rarity and design are all factors used in determining value, the most important factor to many is condition. Avoid trunks with dents, broken slats, rust or missing hardware. If you do purchase a trunk with missing parts and are in need of repair there are craftsmen who specialize in restoration. Make certain that the person you hire uses scrap pieces from old trunks. There are those who will return your trunk with its original patina and there are other who use new materials which will leave you with a very shiny trunk. Professional restoration can be costly, so add this expense to the equation when you are considering how much you want to invest.
As we head into yard sale season watch for trunks from Truesdale, Moynat, Hartmann, Oshkosh and Shwayder Trunk Company, which later became Samsonite Luggage. They can often be found in nice condition and for a fraction of their value! Until next time . . . Linda
Linda Kennett is a professional liquidation consultant specializing in down-sizing for seniors and may be reached at 317-258-7835 or lkennett@indy.rr.com
