\u00a9 2023 wikiHow, Inc. All rights reserved. We use cookies to make wikiHow great. Since they used to be placed in steamer ships on top of one another, it was likely for the items inside to get crushed or broken had it not been for the bevelled top. They were often made of wood or metal, and sometimes decorated with intricate carvings or paintings. Only the wealthy people could afford its very ornate details over extreme expense. Late 1800's Steamer Trunk (Repaired, Restored) . Portland, ME. Gorman, Chas B. Still, you may face initial problems of absolute authenticity. Roll this trunk along with the two recessed wheels and the opposite durable plastic handle or carry it by the extra handle on the front. No. 298 Congress St. Portland ME. A creative writing studio that helps people find their voice and share their stories. Collectors and antique specialists have a lot of insight and knowledge about such items. But those found in good condition come off expensive since they can be used and displayed as valuable assets in the house. Condition Antique Wardrobe: Identification & Value Guide, Antique Steamer Trunk [History,Value And Identify Guide], Antique Trunks: Identification and Value Guide, Antique Rocking Chairs: Identification and Value Guide, Antique Doorknobs: Identification and Value Guide, Antique End Table Value and Identification Guide, Antique Chair: Identification And Value Guide, Vintage Linens (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Luggage: Brands, Identification, and Buying Guide, Vintage Playing Cards (Identification and Value Guide), Vintage Japanese Music Box Rare Collectibles, Sports Memorabilia Price and Identification Guide, Vintage Pfaff Sewing Machine: History & Value Guide, Vintage Necchi Sewing Machines Identification Guide, Vintage Medicine Cabinet Styles Guide [With Pictures], Vintage Japanese Sewing Machines: A Rare Guide to Brands, Value and Price, Valuable Antique Tools Worth Money: Complete Value Guide, Montgomery Ward Sewing Machine (History, Models & Value), How to Identify Victorian Furniture Styles. Est. Rudy, Philip. I found this trunk. Hickey & Tull. Cushing, Charles F. 586 Pleasant St. New Bedford, MA. Hubbard & Lyman Main St. Springfield, MA. 4 Portland St. Boston, MA. Of course, youre to check the overall usability without restoration. The second trunk is presumably 1900-1950. This trunk is called a steamer wardrobe trunk and they can sell for $75 - $500 and up. 173 Lake St. Chicago, IL. Essential facts to consider when valuing an antique trunk include its material, age, condition, provenance and rarity. Germuiller, F. 641 Louisiana Ave. NW Washington, DC. Average scale of wear & tear can definitely occupy the antique pieces to keep countering the time. And the usability counted a wide range to cover basic purpose to indoor decoration. Co. Denver, CO. "Samson" line of trunks, Shwayder later became Samsonite". 31 Federal & 131 Congress Streets. No 7 Washington & 58 Brattle St. Boston, MA. The condition of the trunk is also important, as trunks that are in good condition will be worth more than those that are damaged or in poor condition. Coleman, M.A. The name "steamer" derives from the ocean liners or steamboats on which these trunks typically made their passage. Thompson Harness Co. Minneapolis, MN. My grandmother emigrated from the UK using this trunk, via ship in the '40s after meeting and marrying my grandfather during WW2. However, a chest is considered more of a fixed cupboard and is deemed unfit for travel. And the terms in interchangeable use may cause certain purchase confusion. They were often made of wood or metal, and sometimes decorated with intricate carvings or paintings. 316 Federal St. Camden, NJ. 949Feedbacks, Bronze Post Medal for All Time! She loves spending time with her family and friends, reading, writing, and traveling. "Never-Break Trunk". However, the presence of marked designs managed to give the experts some names. Design Rarity: Its indeed the very first consideration to evaluate the price for sale or purchase. Williams, Franklin & Co. 106 N. Howard St. Baltimore, MD. Examine the wood of the trunk. Fiberide Sample Trunk Co. 191 Lafayette St. NY. And most of the people visited distant places using the train. Vanderman did NOT make Gold bullion trunks or any kind of strong boxes. Q: How do I determine the value of my steamer trunk? Antique trunks would have had hand-forged hardware, rather than mass-produced hardware. Remember to check the bottom of the trunk for damage, All tip submissions are carefully reviewed before being published, Be careful not to touch any mold on the inside of the trunk, Watch for sharp corners and nails or tacks sticking out of the trunk. Newark, NJ. If you are interested in donating it, you might offer it to your local museum. Pay good attention to the minor details to differentiate the originals from reproductions. Some designs were plain against several ornate models. First and foremost, the age of the trunk is going to be one of the biggest factors in its value. It is actually named after a popular hang-out spot situated east of Saratoga Springs, next to Hudson Lake in New York! Would anyone know the value of these old steamer trunks. Likewise, you cant expect a century-old paper to remain intact to reveal the marks. I have this trunk that I got handed down. Unfinished trunks are worth up to $200. Trunks on the other hand can be considered as modern day brief cases that can be easily displaced from one destination to another. I just want to know how old it is??? They have been in family home garage for over 55 years. One of those rules is to never mix old and, As humans, we have always been fascinated by things that are old. Saratoga is in fact the name of an American soap directed back in the 1940s. And the ornate covers a broad range for decoration. Finally, consider visiting a local antiques dealer or appraiser. Mort Diamond was 24 years old when he opened Taylors Luggage in New Canaan over 60 years ago. 440Answers, Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! There are numerous types of antique trunks available on the market, each with their own unique style and history. 1845, Cave & Sons, HJ. And enthusiasts denoted the major clauses to decide the value. Cummings, Josiah & Son. Heres a more detailed breakdown of the differences: Are great for storing bulky or heavy items, Typically have a flat top, making them ideal for use as a coffee table or extra seating, Are great for storing lighter items or items that need to be organized, Typically have a hinged lid, making them easy to access, Can be stacked on top of each other, making them great for small spaces. Its also helpful to know how to spot a fake trunk. Stone, Edward No. Final Words Many passionate collectors simply settle for the absolute classy design of antique trunks. vintage tin trunk. Fond Du Lac, WI. Bought out by Belber in 1930s. In or around 1836, trunk locks were made by machine and continued to be manufactured as such until the late 1920s with some simple modifications for the present day foot lockers.". 6. Vail, Benjamin. What style of trunk do you have? This is mostly because of their convenient size and portability. Strong, WB. 1891. Trunks were first used in the ancient world for storing weapons and other valuables. Main & Fourth Streets, Zanesville, OH. 1900s Traditional Dome Top Steamer Trunk English 1815 Regency Camphor Wood and Leather Trunk with Painted Floral Decor Chinese Painted Red Lacquer Trunk, C. 1850 Four Tie-Backs with Antique Gilt Wooden Friezes 1888 Louis Vuitton Damier Large Steamer Trunk, Provenance: Harry Payne Whitney 1920's, Wood Strapped Travel Trunk / Suitcase Yours is a rounded-top (also referred to as dome, curved, and barrel-top) steamer or "packer" trunk, popular in 1870-1920. A few other names for this trunk are camel trunk, barrel trunk, or humpback trunk. If the your trunk is 30 inches (76.2 cm) or under then your trunk will be worth more. Validate findings date back the actual concept to medieval times with minimalist features. . By signing up you are agreeing to receive emails according to our privacy policy. McEwen, Daniel. Another way is to examine the hardware and materials used in the construction of the trunk. It can be polished to a high shine, or left with its natural, Dating antique furniture can be a daunting task, but it doesnt have to be impossible. Louis Vuitton trunks will sell for between $3000 and $20,000 while an unmarked steamer trunk will only sell for between $75 and $100. Generally speaking, older and more rare trunks will be worth more than those that are younger and more common. Thomsen, CF Trunk Manufactory. An antique wood and steel cabin trunk with metal locks, leather handles and the original brass label by L. Goldsmith and Son Company, circa 1900 was sold for $ 280 s16home.com/ ./ antique-cabin-trunk-c-1900 Saddler. And the details are somewhat simple to integrate minimal characters. 15 Beacon St. Boston, MA. They had a significant bulge on the top surface and were hence deemed unfit for travel. Makers of "Sandow" Trunks. It looks to be in quite rough shape, but if you love it, it will be worth restoring. McBurney Charles 25 Tremont Row Boston, MA. St. Louis Trunk Factory. Lang, DH & JH, 519 Main St. Fond du Lac, WI. That is how we acquired them. Whereas others find it surprisingly usable to deal with multiple indoor issues. Goyard is a French trunk and leather goods maker. Hathaway, Benjamin Market St. Plymouth, MA. paint in black on one end, can you tell anything about it? It's in good enough condition that it might be worth hundreds of dollars. Wiggers Trunk & Leather Goods Dept. Below is a generic classification of the styles of wardrobe trunks that we came across. N.W. Dome Top Trunk: Dome top trunks get their name from their domed lid, which was originally designed to protect the contents of the trunk from the elements. There are many great books that have been written about the history of steamer trunks and their value. Some blanket chests also have drawers built into them for additional storage space. Full dresser trunks came in with a mirror and set of drawers. Limited edition pieces or trunks that are very hard to find these days have an automatic value upgrade in the market. 1810-1817 Dissolved in 1817, Duguid, Eggeman., Toledo, OH. The style of hardware can give you a general idea of when the trunk was made. Vogler, H & Co.223 Alamo Plaza, San Antonio, TX. Some of them were even enveloped in leather or embossed with metal. Someone mentioned to clean with water then a furniture polish. Wardrobe Trunk Company: This company was founded in 1892 and was based in Chicago, Illinois. Est. Kalamazoo, MI. Also, sturdy construction managed to keep the price out of commoners reach. Thanks to all authors for creating a page that has been read 60,619 times. This is mostly because their top can be used to place other items. wikiHow, Inc. is the copyright holder of this image under U.S. and international copyright laws. Everwear. One such example would be of Louis Vuitton trunks that can range up to 20 thousand dollars! I fear that the mold I am seeing is not good and if you look closely at the second image on the bottom inside I can see water damage. Sole Makers of the "Osilite" Trunks London W. Central Trunk Factory., Philadelphia, PA. Chace & Bateman. Shelton & Cheever. We hope this article was helpful and relayed an ample amount of information for you to have a basic insight of wardrobe trunks.