The exterior was originally covered in a canvas which was removed in some distant past restoration. When the canvas was removed it revealed 150+ year old seasoned pine wood planks making up the body fo the trunk. The interior of the trunk as found is covered in an early 20th century frabric or felt type textile with all sorts of "medieval shields" reminiscent of England or Europe with Knights and other Insignia. Quite possibly in the distant past this was a young boys toy chest or treasure chest!

The trunk was then scrubbed inside and out, let to dry, the brass button caps on the nails were carefully polished and finally a coat of protective spar varnish was applied to complete the sealing of the wood and metal surfaces. A professional sealer was applied to the inside fabric for protection and continued use.

This pre-Civil War era antique trunk still has the original manufacturers label in clear and readable form which dates this trunk between 1848 and 1862!!

John S. Robbins
Manufacturer & Dealer in
Hats, Caps, Muffs & Furs
Trunks, Valises, etc
Wholesale & Retail
No 52 South Pearl Street
(Corn. of Pearl & Hudson St)
Albany

Using Google Books Albany History: John S. Robbins confirms that this firm occupied the address shown on the label between 1848 and 1862!!

If you want to see a contemporary photo of "52 South Pearl Street" in Albany where John S. Robbins resided between 1848 and 1862 Click Here

Original Owners Name and Addresses - Provenance Identified: Hand stenciled to the bottom of the trunk is the name: "W.L. Filkins, Akron, Summit Co, Ohio" and two shipping labels. W.L. Filkins was Welcome Lewis Filkins of Rochester, NY born November 1829 and was a founding partner of the Filkins Bros which manufactured Liver Pills and Dr. Filkins Bros.' Electric Catarrh Specific, Dr. Filkins Bros.' Valuable Kid Strengthening Plasters, Dr. Filkins Bros.' Genuine Healing Balsam, and Dr. Filkins Bros' Compound Tonic. The geneology is: Richard Filkins was his father. Isaac Filkins was his grandfather. Henry Filkins was his great grandfather. The Filkins also lived in the Rochester and Albany, NY area where this trunk was manufactured.

Also affixed to the bottom of the trunk are two shipping labels:

The first label: "Union Line Express from Cleveland Ohio".

The second label of more historical significance: "American Express Company, Wells, Butterfield & Co, Proprietors, From SUSP. Bridge, NY". It is this second label which also confirms the date of manufacture/use and makes it historically significant as this shipping label indicates that it was shipped using the newly ca 1850 formed "American Express Company" by both Wells and Butterfield! Wells later started up the Wells Fargo Company when the "American Express" Board of Directors did not want to expand deliveries to California!

It is this second label which also confirms the date of manufacture/use and makes it historically significant as this shipping label indicates that it was shipped using the newly ca 1850 formed "American Express Company" by both Wells and Butterfield via their merger! Wells later started up the Wells Fargo Company when the "American Express" Board of Directors did not want to expand deliveries to California!

Restored Antique Trunk - #332 RARE! Jenny Lind with Manufacturer's Label Dating the Trunk to 1848-1862 Production! Provenance and Original Ownership Well Documented: W.L. Filkins (Welcome Lewis Filkins)!!! AND Shipping Label from the Newly 1850 Formed "American Express Company"! For History Buffs It Doesn't Get Much Better Than This!!! Historically Significant Early 1850s to 1860s Pre-Civil War Medium Size "Low Profile" Fully Restored Antique Trunk. A Mid 19th Century Civil War era (1848-1862) fully restored Low Profile antique trunk for sale! The exterior canvas covering was removed in some distant past restoration. The interior has been professiionally covered over with a felt fabric type textile which has images of English and European Medieval Shields, Knights on Horse indicating that this was used for a young boys special toy chest or treasure chest. The exterior reveals beautiful 100+ year old cured and seasoned pine planks used in the construction of this trunk and the natural pine wood patina is a even throughout. Per our custom the entire trunk was scubbed, dried and lightly sanded with a coat of spar varnish applied. A professional sealer was applied to the interior lining giving it new life. NOTE: Additionally, hand stencilled to the bottom of the trunk is the name: "W.L. Flkins, Akron, Summit Co, Ohio" and two shipping labels. The first label: "Union Line Express from Cleveland Ohio". The second label: "American Express Company, Wells, Butterfield & Co, Proprietors, From SUSP. Bridge, NY". It is this second label which also confirms the date of manufacture/use and makes it historically significant as this shipping label indicates that it was shipped using the newly ca 1850 formed "American Express Company" by both Wells and Butterfield! Wells later started up the Wells Fargo Company when the "American Express" Board of Directors did not want to expand deliveries to California!

Click Photo!

Mid-Size Jenny Lind Antique Trunk 31"L x 18"D x 13"H Provenance fully dated by the Manufacturers Label clearly visible and readable on the inside of the trunk as being between 1848-1862 and confirmed by Google Books! ("John S. Robbins, Manufacturer & Dealer in Hats, Caps, Muffs & Furs. Trunks, Valises, Etc. Wholesale & Retail, No 52 South Pearl St, Albany"). This restored antique trunk would make for a Civil War buff or a perfect place to store toys and such. However as will all antique trunks, care should be noted that there are no contemporary safety features on this trunk.

$395. Sold!

Call To Order 540 659 6209

OPTIONAL - Trunk Wood Engraving Examples and Prices Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest	Click Here To Review Sample Engravings	Personalize Your 100+ Year Old Antique Trunk in Perpetuity!
Antique Trunks as a Shadow Box and Storage Chest! Customer Photographic Examples of our Antique Trunks Being used as a Military or Naval Retirement Shadow Box and Storage Chest!!	Click Here for Sample Shadow Box Photographs From Customers	Why just get a shadow box or a newly made trunk with no history! One of our 100+ Year Old Nautical Antique Trunks can be used for both a Shadow Box and Storage Chest for your Uniforms, Photograph Albums, and Memorabilia!

Rare 1880 to Early 1890's Photograph of Antique Trunk Factory and Workers Using Albumen Silver Print Method, Mounted to a Period Board Which Dates The Photo Note the Flatop and Two Monitor or Waterfall Trunks, Each Being Individually Unique at the Very Time of Production.

Click Photo For Larger View and More Historical Information!

The Pirate's Lair Exclusive! 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.

However the truth of the matter is that the majority of these trunks were made towards the middle to end of the 19th century just at the dawning of the industrial revolution here in America when there were no child labor laws or protections. This rare photo clearly illustrates at least 3 generations of owners and workers, ages appearing to range from pre-teen/adolescent, teens/early adult, through middle to old age! 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.

Note the adolescent factory workers on top row! Note that there are no women in the photo! This is due to the fact that at that time "proper" women did not work outside of the home, certainly not in a factory. Everybody appears to look pretty stern, having on their arms crossed and "work" faces put on. Copy of Photo On Request With Every Trunk Purchase

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