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pirates lair treasure chest

Antique Trunk Restoration, Antique Steamer Trunk Restoration Techniques and How to Restore Antique Trunks with before and after photo's. Purchase Newly Restored Antique Trunks and Steamer Trunk and Trunk Parts Here - Save Money and Get the pleasure of restoring your own antique trunk!

Click Here to Review Restored Antique Trunks and Antique Steamer Trunks - For Sale and Available!



We Offer The Below Photographic Historical Documentation To Help Emphasize The Importance and Significance In The Task Of Restoring An Antique Trunk!
 
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.
  
antique trunk factory workers
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


BEFORE restoration photo of treasure chest AFTER restoration photo of Treasure Chest
BEFORE Trunk RESTORATION.......... ............ AFTER Trunk RESTORATION


Pirate's Lair Glossy 4 Panel Brochure in PDF
Click the above link to download and view The Pirate's Lair Brochure

completed restoration of a Pirate Treasure Chest The photo at left illustrates a completed antique trunk restoration of a traditional Dome Top or Hump Back Pirate Chest (or Pirate Treasure Chest) dated July 1, 1873! As you can see the body is made of either pine planks with decorative yet functional metal hardware. The wooden straps holding the pine wood body together are made of Oak.

Click Here to purchase the restored Antique Pirate Chests used as an illustration on How To Restore Antique Furniture, Restore Antiques and Antique Furniture Restoration and Antique Trunk Restoration of Nautical Furniture!

The rest of this page will help the reader to better understand how to restore antique trunks and antique furniture restoration in general, with an emphasis on how we at The Pirate's Lair put the very same care, attention to detail, and craftsmanship in the antique restoration process that was originally used a century and more ago when first producing these fine pirate chests and other vintage nautical furniture.



before restoration photo of treasure chest

The antique restoration process, especially antique furniture restoration takes many hours of carefully removing old and unusable canvas, cloth and paper linings; treat the wood using various non-toxic cleansers, oils and varnishes; fix or replace needed metal hardware, leather handles and straps; and carefully preserve any identifying drawings or graphics.

The photo at left shows the antique trunk as originally found in an attic of an old estate in South Carolina. Note the entire body of the antique chest was covered with a light colored canvas, both leather straps and handles were broken and rotted, buckles and hardware were scratched and corroded from age. Oak straps were dry and in need of a good sanding.

As typical, this 130+ year old antique trunk had a stale and musty odor from more than a century of collecting dust, mold, and mildew. Along with the deterioration of the outside canvas, leather and the inside paper lining. Keep in mind that the glue used to hold the canvas and paper was horse glue which was literally made from horses!

before restoration photo of pirate chest and tray The image to the left illustrates a BEFORE photo of the chest showing the outside, inside, and the original tray insert which was made from a thin wood fiber or compressed sawdust type of material with a paper covering. Note the water or liquid stains on the inside of the chest, who knows what, where and how that happend.

Over time (as in 100 years or more!) biodegradable materials such as canvas, leather, paper, wood, horse glue, and other organic construction materials begin to break down and deteriorate. In fact, much of the glue used in these antique chests was made from horses and was unprocessed! This deterioration process typically consists of many conditions and factors such as dry rotting, collection of mold and dust, mildew when subjected to moisture or humid environments.

Part of the "how to restore antique furniture" and the entire antique restoration process is to stop further deterioration of the nautical furniture, and to eliminate and remove to such an extent as possible the collection of dust, mold and mildew causing musty odors and being environmentally pleasing.

The beginning of any Antique Furniture Restoration consists of removing all canvas and paper coverings and leather straps and handles. Washing the exposed wood in a special non-toxic solution to kill and remove dust, mold and mildew, then lightly sand both wood and hardware. Replace any broken hardware if necessary, replace all of the leather and make any other repairs utilizing the same types of tools, nails, tacks, and craftsmanship used when the chest was first made. The next step is to restore and seal the wood using special non-toxic restorative oils and varnishes in a slow, repetitive manner to bring out the beautiful luster and patina that only 100 year old wood can achieve. The last step is to bring back to the original color the metal hardware, fixtures, and any sheathing.

antique trunk restoration process: beginning to remove the canvas antique trunk restoration process: no canvas and no paper antique trunk restoration process: no canvas, all wood

Canvas Partially Removed, Wood Showing... All Canvas, Paper, Leather, Glue Removed, Chest Washed... All Exposed Wood and Hardware Sanded with Final Wash

BEFORE - Canvas, Paper and Original Tray Insert AFTER - No Canvas, No Paper, New Leather and Wooden Tray Insert

BEFORE - Showing Inside Paper, Old Leather, and Original Tray Insert ..... AFTER - Showing All Wood, New Leather, New Custom Made Wooden Tray Insert
Note: When applicable we typically ship the original trays and inserts at customers request at no additional charge!


Antique trunk furniture restoration tools and equipment

Here you will see placed in one of our custom built wooden trays an assortment of tools, hardware, tacks and nails, and leather handles used during the restoration process.

Note that wood screws were never used during the construction process of these chests so as not to damage or split the wood. Nails and tacks were used in such a manner as to "curve the tip" as it penetrated the wood which kept everything secure. We use the same process today at The Pirate's Lair!

At the Pirate's Lair we strive to ensure authenticity in our antique restorations down by using the exact same tools and practices utilized by the original craftsmen.





Pirate Sea Chest 3/4 view Pirate Sea Chest #93 showing victorian picture



Pirate Sea Chest Back View Pirate Sea Chest Showing Insert

The above photo's illustrate various views and aspects of the restored chest.


nautical home office with liberty ship wooden hatch cover desk and pirate treasure chest Click Here for authentic vintage and antique Nautical Trunks!

The photo to the left illustrates a typical "Captain's Cabin" home office of antique nautical furniture consisting of an authentic WW2 Liberty Ship Wooden Hatch Cover restored into a Desk and two restored antique Pirate Chests to hold office hanging file folders and papers, stationary and envelopes, check books and financial papers, tape dispenser, stapler, pens and pencils.

What a GREAT Home or Office Nautical Gift Idea for the most discerning CEO, Yachtsman, Waterfront Homeowner, Yacht Club, Military or Naval Officer!

If it is the Pirate Theme or Nautical Furniture Decor you are seeking then there is nothing like authentic and real 100 year old restored antique furniture that can ONLY be found at The Pirate's Lair!

You can now have and afford a piece of real Nautical and Naval History. Who knows where these 19th Century Chests and WW2 Hatch Covers have been and sailed to? What oceans, seas, wars and battles, deaths and births they have been witness to. These Captains Sea Chests and Pirate Treasure Chests are original 19th century nautical chests and trunks each having its own unique look and history! with a unique nautical theme and pirate decor are truly "treasure chests".

The Pirate's Lair now offers you these affordable restored antique Pirate Treasure Chests, Captain's Sea Chests, Nautical Desks, Steamer Trunks, and Coffee Tables from restored WW2 U.S. Navy Liberty Ship Hatch Covers as a unique way to furnish your home or office! Use the chests to hold hanging folders and files instead of metal cabinets. Store desktop clutter such as pens, paperclips, staplers, tape dispensers, letter openers, and even your Notebook PC in our custom designed Tray Insert!

These Pirate Chests could also be used as Silverware and China Chests to store your U.S. Navy China. The nautical decor is right out of "Master and Commander" or "The Pirates of the Caribbean", but these no movie props they are the real deal!

Pictured to the left are Vintage Nautical 6' Coffee Tables and a Nautical 10' Dining Room Table salvaged from the cargo holds of 65 year old WW2 Liberty Ship Wooden Hatch Covers and are now available to you at The Pirate's Lair!




ww2 ships wooden hatch cover dining table

Click HERE to Review how this and other of our Pirate Chests, Treasure Chests, and Antique Chests were Restored, our Antique Restoration Process, and How To Restore Antique Nautical Furniture!

 
OPTIONAL - Trunk Wood Engraving Examples and Prices
Custom Designed, Handcrafted, and Hand Lettered in Caligraphy on your Antique Chest
  
Personalized Burnt Wood Engravings
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!!
  
Military or Naval Retirement Ceremony Shadow Box
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.
  
antique trunk factory workers
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


The Pirate's Lair
Division of DataCity, Inc.
78 Canterbury Drive
Stafford, Virginia 22554
Phone: 540-659-6209
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NOTE: ALL TEXT BELOW IS SOLELY FOR THE INTERNET SPYDERS, ROBOTS, AND OTHER DENIZENS OF CYBERSPACE!! antique steamer trunks, dome top or flat top.