The exterior was originally covered entirely of painted green canvas to make it waterproof. The interior and pull drawers were covered in a thin cloth textile. Both exterior and interior coverings were carefully removed, all wood surfaces scrubbed with a non-toxic cleaning solution, let to dry, and then very lightly sanded revealing the beautifully grained and seasoned pine wood body and oak wood slats that only 100+ year old wood can achieve.
The sheet metal was polished and then refreshed in a Black Japanning of Black Oak. The hardware latches and lock was polished revealing the now oxidized but original brass gilting. Afterwards the entire trunk was covered in two applications of spar varnish to preserve and bring out the highlights of the grain and character of the wood and all hardware. New leather handles and end caps replaced the older worn out leather. This trunk features 4 heavy duty front and side latches, extraordinally thick pine wood construction, could be placed right up against a wall via its "space saving" feature when opening it up. Each drawer has its original brass pulls. Working lock but no key.
These model trunks were not your typical travelling trunk as they were way heavy and cumbersome for relatively easy transport and confined use aboard ships, trains, or stage coach. As mentioned above, these antique trunks were typically used by travelling theater and circus groups which went from town to town performing their arts. They needed to have large trunks with easy access from which to put their costumes, mirrors, and makeup. These type of trunks were also a mainstay for the pioneer families settling the west in that they would easily fit into and be used on a daily basis inside a prairie schooner, covered wagon, or Conestoga. And when they reached their homestead destination the trunk was then able to be used as a "space saving" dresser in their new log home when living in the prairie wagon was no longer necessary!
This theatrical trunk or spacesaver trunk would make for a perfect dresser in a 19th century room or house replica, or antique display/storage trunk, or a replica of the pioneer and settler wagon or log cabin!
The exterior was originally covered in a heavy waterproofed canvas and interior originally covered in a thin protective paper which was removed during restoration. Removing the coverings revealed the beautiful patina which only 100+ year old seasoned pine and oak woods can achieve! All hardware was cleaned, lightly sanded and polished. The exterior and interior woods and hardware were scrubbed and lightly sanded with a high gloss varnish applied to all surfaces.
All edge sheeting, hardware clamps, front latches, lid banding, and hinges were also lightly polished.
| Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!! |
 Click Here for Photographs of Our Antique Trunks Re-Purposed as a Shadow Box By Our Military, Army, Air Force, Marine, and Navy Customers For Their Retirements! |
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| RARE!!! Large Late 19th Century (1870s-1890s) All Flat Top Antique "Theatrical" Trunk For Sale With a Rich Medium-Brown Patina to the Pine Wood Body and Wide Hand Tooled Oak Wood Slats. The Polished and Blackend Hardware Contrasting Beautifully Against the 100+ Year Old Seasoned Woods. One Functional and Decorative Nail Strip Across the Body Providing Additional Character. There are Four Heavy Duty Latches with Built-in Lid Lifts for the Fold-up Lid Along with Edge Guards. New End Caps and New Leather Handles. This Theatrical Trunk Has 3 Cubby Holes and 3 Drawers for Storage. Working Lock and Key! |
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34"L x 21"D x 26"H Well constructed and substantial! This would make a great addition to a home with a 19th century decor, and especially for someone in the Theater Industry! This could also be re-purposed into an open display case for an antique store! |
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540 659 6209 |
| Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest |
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| Note the Flatop and Two Monitor or Waterfall Trunks, Each Being Individually Unique at the Very Time of Production. |
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We all romanticize about the mystique of these antique trunks. The possible owners and travels that each steamer trunk has taken, along with the high level of detailed craftsmanship in the original production of each and every steamer trunk with that individualized character giving both intrinsic and non-intrinsic value. |
It was a common practice that loyal and productive craftsmen would be allowed to bring their children to work with them to learn a craft, so many of the children in this photograph were more than likely sons of the men shown. |
Copy of Photo On Request With Every Trunk Purchase |
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