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Antiques! => Antique Questions Forum => Topic started by: wendy177 on April 06, 2010, 07:27:28 am
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My husband and I came across this beauty while cleaning our storage above our garage this weekend. I know nothing about this find and have not even started to research just thought I would see if anyone might have some insight. I fell in love immediately!!!! I can find no makers mark or label. 3/30 in what looks like blue crayon on the inside top that's it. she is in rough shape as you can see but not sure of value,approx. year made, and should I just clean her up(what should I use??) or have a professional restorer take a look and get a price on repair?? I do not want to do anything to damage or lower her value (if any?)
Thanks
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Wendy don't you dare get rid of that (but if you do I'll send you my address ;))
I looked long a hard trying to find a trunk for my daughter....ended up with a cedar
chest. Either they were in too rough shape for my capabilities or priced way out of
my range.
Here's a few sites I had marked when I was looking.
http://www.thisoldtrunk.com/soldtrunks/index.html
http://www.shenandoahrestoration.com/Hints.html
http://www.brettunsvillage.com/
http://www.thepirateslair.com/2-115blondie-flattop.html
http://www.ehow.com/how_5472779_steamer-trunk-refinishing.html
http://www.trunksandtreasures.com/Trunkvalues.html
http://antiquerestorers.com/cgi-bin/bbs/furn/config.pl?read=6892
http://www.legacytrunks.com/Restoration_information/Trunk%20Restoration.htm
This is one I'd seen and fell in love with........
(http://i158.photobucket.com/albums/t98/geeziesmom/Trunks/2489j4i_20.jpg)
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This trunk looks to be in pretty good shape but just needs a good cleaning and maybe some polishing of the rusty? metal corners/edges. On American Pickers last night they bought a small humpback or camelback trunk for $100 and valued it at $200 (or $250?) which I thought was high (at least it is in my area -Midwest). I passed on a flat top trunk for $20 at a rummage sale last week. These trunks are quite common in the Midwest and I think every family had one. They are great decorator pieces but the musty smell in most is tough to get rid of if one wants to use them for storage. As to age I think most are 1890s to 1920s. I have seen a paperback book on trunk restoration at Barnes & Noble that you may want to look at. I would use whatever Talesof used on her Hoosier for the wood straps. It looks great on her cabinet so it should work on your wood also. If the decorated material is metal/tin, I would think all that needs is a good wiping with a light detergent/water mix, followed by clean water wiping, followed by immediate drying. I have never cleaned one but that is my guess. I do not know how to clean the inside...maybe fill it with cedar shavings and let it stand for awhile?
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Thanks so much Sapphire have been jumping around digging also and found a lot of those sites , I think I will contact Brettuns village They are close to me & could make a day trip to drop it off for restoration but will contact to get an appraisal & price for the work. Also found www.trunk.com may contact them also for appraisal they seem famous for their work and are not that far from me also. the photo you posted is very much like mine, I will not be selling this one That is the first thing hubby said "sell it, how much do you think we could get?" It is large enough to fit a body in if he mentions that again ;D!! Thanks Wayward the decorated material I believe is leather not metal as one side has a small tear. The more I research this the more I think I will need to have this one professionally restored,Prices on line I have found for smaller trunks similar to mine(metal design) run around $650.00 and from what I have read the leather designed ones are rare, She is in pretty good shape but needs lots of TLC, And you are right boy does it STINK :P Am dragging her in tonight will wipe her off and will post better photos
again thanks to all
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you might want to try putting crumpled newspaper inside to absorb the odor.
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Nice little find , wendy177 !
If you're up to it , and have got some spare patience , perhaps you could do the job yourself & avoid the excessive fees that might come with restoration .....
From your images , I'd guess that you've got a less-than-common trunk .... the big thing , to me , is if the trunk is pretty solid & free from dry-rot .
If there's significant areas of dry-rot in the wood frame , that's a big set of problems , as to really restoring it & prob a job for a specialist .
If it is in solid shape & you just want to 'revitalize' your unit , it seems a fairly straightforward (& rewarding) home project .
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Thanks RJ2 Taking a deep breath ---- just checked it a little closer and TONS of rust Wayward was correct all metal!! Will have hubby check it for dry-rot tonight (Hope not) RJ2 will need advice if I decide to take this one on myself!!! Have emailed photos to 2 diffrent experts and will fill everyone in when I hear back.
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What a neat thing to find in the attic! Makes me want to venture up into mine!
We used to have an identical trunk to this one up in the attic when I was growing up. It was full of "dress-up clothes" and I used to love it! There was a color printed label of a Gibson Girl on the inside of the trunk. I think the date on these is about 1880 to the early 1900's. I remember someone posted on this forum that the camel back hump was there so that no other trunks could be stacked on top of it. That way you got your trunk first when you got off the train!
The prices I've seen can vary pretty dramatically. $50 on the low end and several hundred on the high-end in retail antique stores. A lot of people restore these, but I kinda like 'em original. Even a bit rusty! A lot of times neat history like paper labels, shipping labels and original canvas gets removed.
Here's a sampling of prices from the SF Bay Area Craigslist:
Similar in nice condition with the interior shelf $50:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1677498506.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1677498506.html)
Similar for $150:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/atq/1674675191.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/scz/atq/1674675191.html)
Similar for $75:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1674537954.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/eby/atq/1674537954.html)
Three with HIDEOUS restoration jobs for $300. Here's some great pix of what NOT to do, IMHO!!
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1674325051.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1674325051.html)
Similar for $85:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1672463456.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1672463456.html)
Similar for $100:
http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1671205182.html (http://sfbay.craigslist.org/sby/atq/1671205182.html)
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OK wendy, here is my new suggestion but you may not like it. Store up your elbow grease as this is going to take a lot of time/work. First I would take care of the wood straps with some type of finish. Then I would tape off the wood straps and the black painted metal parts with removable painter's tape. Then I would use 0000 steel wool and a lot of elbow grease and hand polish the tin to remove as much rust as you can. 0000 steel wool will not scratch the metal like coarser grades do. If you are very careful you can use light oil such as gun oil with the steel wool but do not get any on the wood straps. This will take time and muscle but you should end up with a very nice trunk. If you take it to a refinisher, it will cost $$$ and they may power polish or chemically remove the rust (neither one I would like). You may love the trunk but they just look at it as money. I hand polish rusty tools with 0000 steel wool and oil and you are left with a nice smooth metal surface and patina. When you are totally done and depending on where you are going to set this, I would lightly wipe the tin surface ONLY with a light oil or a rust preventative treated cloth used by gun owners and then follow with a dry cloth. If it will set on carpet, I would block the bottom up so no rust stains or oil transfers to the carpet. If you live in a dry area of the country, this should last a long time. If you are in a humid area, the tin may need to be treated periodically to keep the rust away.
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Thanks so much Wayward and RJ2 that is the route I think I am going to take do it myself :-\ so all here I go, will consult hubby & we will begin our journey!! I have done quite a bit of finishing on furniture we make but nothing like this!!! Got a reply on one of my emails here it is Hi, Wendy.
You have an American made trunk that was manufactured around 1875. It would run about $850 to do a complete restoration which is near the value of the trunk restored. If you add shipping both ways it would end up costing more than the trunk would be worth. That is strictly from a commercial point of view. We are currently taking in trunks for delivery in August.
Regards,
Pat
so from that price for restoration this will be a do it at home project will keep you posted
Tales those three trunks are hideous and nothing like that will take place here!!! No shipping labels to worry about(wish it had some) and no canvas all metal & wood!!
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$850?!!!!!!! :o
Holy cats!!! I think I would want to see a whole lot of trunks that actually sold for that much before spending that kind of money. I think if it were a cherished heirloom of a grandma to where price was of no object, I could see spending that kind of money. But I think you'd be putting a heck of a lot of money into it that you'd never get out of it. That's just my chintzy cheapskate two cents worth!
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OMG tales, that "hideous trunk" #2 looks like something they'd store Ronald McDonald in when he's not parading
around.
Wendy I hope you keep us updated on your progress. I know you'll be thrilled with the final results.......and while
you're in the midst of it just keep reminding yourself it's just like labor.....once it's all over the pain is a memory
and you can bask in the glow of new 'parenthood' ;) :D
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Yes, I'd love to see project photos of this one too! I bet you'll make it look beautiful.
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Thanks sapphire & Tales trying hard not to hyperventilate while thinking of doing it but yes sapphire like childbirth way worth it!!! :D Tales I said the same thing $850.00 !!!!! :o I do not know who owned it just that it must have sat up there for a very long time as we purchased my parents property and dad built the house when I was 2 only owners my parents now us,so it is most likely a relatives. Sadly no one left to tell the tales. Will post photos as I go!!
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I guess I shouldn't tell you that it's possible to re-tin the metal , in situ .
Did it twice myself & boy-howdy did it turn out NICE !
Way too much work , but ......
You gotta use pure tin , though (very low melting temp , can actually hold the molten tin in your hand , for a second or two) .
I also tried a suggestion from a guy who refinished them - he'd semi-sterilize them , inside the trunk , with blacklights .
Sorta works to kill living molds/assorted fungi .... not too sure about the effects on spores, though .
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Wendy, I agree with Wayward, by the looks of your pictures your trunk is in excellent condition and only needs a good cleaning and polishing and maybe the tin repainted with "black" Rustoleum paint but that doesn't look to be necessary. A light steelwooling and a coat of paste wax and it should look "shiny black" again. A swipe with a wet cloth will give you a clue of what the wax will do.
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Thanks Cogar & to all !! I spoke with hubby RJ2 No dry - rot ;D she is in good shape for being so darn old so I will be taking your advice and doing this project myself I am very excited ! I think I will clean and polish the tin with 0000 steel wool like wayward & cogar suggested and see how it looks just the sound of molten tin makes me nervous. Thanks so much to all of you for the advice & support (I'm sure I will have tons more questions for you all) ;D more photos to come, would love to know who made it maybe as I begin to clean & repair some clues will surface.
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Go Wendy!! ;D
Looking forward to watching this one!
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Ok I have started and wanted to ask for some help, I have begun to use the 0000 steel wool on the decorated tin and to my surprise have really been enjoying the work (ask me in a few days if I still feel that way ;) I will then redo with 0000 steel wool & light gun oil as Wayward suggested (any special brand of light gun oil??) Have I removed enough rust?? I do not want it back to silver as I would like to keep it looking like it has been around for the 135 years it has been. I just do not want it to be damaged any further from the rust. The first photo is before , the second is after some work with steel wool. Thanks to all for the advise ;D
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WOW wendy, that is going to look beautiful when you're done! You must be thrilled just with the progress you've seen. ;)
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Thanks Sapphire I Love it and I am thrilled !! The patina after using the steel wool is great. hubby had to drag me in from the workshop tonight :P.
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Nice flowery/leafy motif just pops out , don't it !
Is it just me or is this flower happy ?
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WOW! What a difference!!! If you're going to call me the Wood Whisperer, I think you just earned the title of Tin Whisperer!! GREAT JOB!!
Also I just re-read Waywards earlier post mentioning what I used for the wood on the Hoosier- It was food grade (also called USP) mineral oil available from the pharmacy for about two bucks a bottle. Then I'm following up with beeswax paste wax, which I ordered online. The paste wax didn't change much, but difference with the mineral oil was phenomenal on the Hoosier.
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One thing I can't help but mention is the fact that unsealed steel will rust .
Oiling will of course prevent this , but just like a gun , if someone touches the oiled steel , oxidation begins .
Oiling & waxing surfaces tend to grind dust & such into surfaces & do build up a patina through their use .
If an item is truly ancient , waxing & oiling wood is a no-no ("if it's dead , it don't need to be fed") for the experts .
For practical use , hey , we gottta use what works . :)
I'm going to give one opinion , (from an "antique heretic's" point of view) , that you might consider putting a coating on the meal & wood of your trunk . ::)
I have seen so many bad shellac jobs done on trunks of this genre that I cringe at suggesting so .....
I've had very good results with a couple/three coats of 50/50 mixed laquer (50% laq. thinner) .
When fully dry , I degloss the surface to a nearly-matte finish & don't have to worry about rust (or doing real tough touch-up work on new dings & such) .
I did a matching pair for a buddy 35yrs. ago that are still 'looking good' .
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WOW wendy the tin you have done looks GREAT! Yes, oil (any light grade such as 3-in-1, any gun oil, sewing machine oil, etc.) will have to be reapplied but it is easily removed with mineral spirits if need be. It also helps as a lubricant when you are using the steel wool. If the chest is going to be handled alot, then I would use something else to seal out rust. Fingerprints will remove oil and start new rust as fancypants mentioned. The oils/contaminants on fingers are bad for any antique surface that absorbs or holds oils. Lacquer would be good as fancypants mentioned but make sure you get all the rust or you will be sealing in rust too. Paste wax would also be good and can be reapplied easily as needed. I always like to use something that is easily reversible on antiques. I would not use shellac/varnish as they yellow or look un-antiquish and are hard to remove once applied. If fancypants has sealed tin on trunks with the lacquer formula for 35 years, it must be good. I do not know how you can improve on that. Fancypants, what do you use to 'degloss' the lacquer? 0000 steel wool or ?
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Thanks so much everyone, Recieved a reply from my second set of professionals today (Really like these guys check out the site they seem to remind me of you all here on this site ;)
Thanks a lot for the pictures. We call this a 'pressed metal dome top trunk.' Many trunks of this style were made by larger contract factories and then sold through the Sears or Wards catalogs back in the 1880s up through the 1920s. If you can find an old Sears catalog from way back then you can probably find a picture of this trunk in there, and it was probably priced at about $2.25 or maybe $2.50, believe it or not. Two of the larger makers of these trunks were MM Secor and M. Meier, both of whom employed several hundred workers. These trunks usually clean up nicely and have a retail value of around $800 - $1000.
Churchill Barton, Mgr
Brettuns Village, Inc.
PO Box 772
Auburn, ME 04212
(207)782-7863
(207)782-7448 fax
http://www.BrettunsVillage.Com
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NICE!!!
Like Fancy, I have sealed items with a diluted version for items that are to be handled alot. There isn't a thick coat so you don't notice any yellowing if there is any (you would have to have another exact trunk next to it to even try to distinguish if there is any color fluctuation/aging). Even if you say you won't handle it alot, just your weekly cleaning jobs of touching will impact the oil finish.
On our double leaded front doors there are brass kick plates at the bottom. I used the same mixture on them after years of fighting having to clean them. The mixture is my dream come true.
There shouldn't be any reason for having to redo with this method until your kids inherit it!!!!
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Thanks everyone and seal it I will. Spoke with the guys at Brettuns village and I need to bring it back to its original silver color state to remove ALL rust before I can seal everything so I have begun again to work even harder and so far this is it. ( maybe 4 hours in) Husband looked at the small progress I have made and has fallen in love with it as much as I have!! He took one look and said WE ARE NOT SELLING THIS! (really oh I didn't think so from the start ;D ) last photo is without the flash
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Wow! Look how that floral design is starting to "pop"!!