Need Info on Old Chest, Anything helps!!

[PleaseHelp]

First time poster, hopefully I chose the right forum.

Reaching out to see if anyone could help me looking into an old chest that a friend recently purchased. Attached are some pictures of the chest. (Sorry about the poor lighting) All she was told was that it is an "older" shoe chest.

The outside of the chest looks a lot newer than the inside. Inside, the joints are simply butted together which tells me it has to predate power tools. The designed pieces you see are made of cardboard while the rest of the inner workings seem to be made of a real light wood perhaps balsa?

Trying to get a few more pictures of the hinges, inside of the top and bottom.

Anything information at all would be a tremendous help.

Thanks for the help in advance, have a blessed day!

[mart]

Hi there and welcome to the forum !!  Have you looked for a name on the trunk ?? Possibly on bottom !! You are very lucky to have found one with the inside still intact !!  Its not a shoe trunk but is typically called a Saratoga trunk, or camel back trunk depending on size !! Most were made in the NE  !! Looks to be in good condition !!  It looks like the outside has been restored a bit !! These chests were the equivalent to our Samsonite suitcases today !! The top section would have held small items like ladies gloves and under things,,perhaps some jewelry !!  Saratoga Springs,NY  was a popular destination for bathing in the water there and as many traveled with the smaller trunks like this,, the name stuck !!  It is not a brand name !!

[Rauville]

That "Crystallized Tin" outside covering was a popular material used by several manufacturers in the late 1880's and 90's.

The Taylor Company of Chicago was known for what they called their "Cross Slat" (the wooden pieces on the lid) trunk, similar in style to yours.

Almost forgot...welcome! You will find a lot of help here.

[mart]

Wish I could find one that good with the interior compartments !! Might I ask what you paid for it ??

[ghopper1924]

What M and R said! Looks like ca. 1890. Wonderful aesthetic-inspired graphics on the interior inserts. I'd say the trunk might bring $400-$500 from the right person.

Nice!!

[mart]

She is lucky !!  They are few and far between with the interior intact !! That price is about right !!

[Rauville]

A trunk story of my own seems to fit with this thread.

My Grandparents were married in 1910, and my Grandmother was given a trunk for her belongings, quite similar to the one being discussed. A couple of years later my Grandfather had decided to go homesteading out west and built a sod house on a claim to bring his new bride to. The “claim” just happened to be 53 miles from the nearest railroad where the household goods, including the trunk, along with my Grandmother arrived at.

Granddad loaded his bride and everything on a wagon and headed the horses to their new home. Two days and fifty three miles later they finally reached their destination and begin unloading. It was at that point it was discovered that Grandma’s trunk had been loaded on the wagon with the end of it rubbing against the wagon wheel...which had worn a hole completely through the end of the trunk.


The story has it that Grandma came close to having Grandpa make a U-turn and head back to the depot so that she could catch the eastbound train.

[Ipcress]

$325

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10689813_late-19th-century-leather-covered-camel-back-steam

[ghopper1924]

$325

http://www.liveauctioneers.com/item/10689813_late-19th-century-leather-covered-camel-back-steam

Another beauty!

[mariok54]

but an estimate of $300 - $500, so on a good day?

[mart]

A trunk story of my own seems to fit with this thread.

My Grandparents were married in 1910, and my Grandmother was given a trunk for her belongings, quite similar to the one being discussed. A couple of years later my Grandfather had decided to go homesteading out west and built a sod house on a claim to bring his new bride to. The “claim” just happened to be 53 miles from the nearest railroad where the household goods, including the trunk, along with my Grandmother arrived at.

Granddad loaded his bride and everything on a wagon and headed the horses to their new home. Two days and fifty three miles later they finally reached their destination and begin unloading. It was at that point it was discovered that Grandma’s trunk had been loaded on the wagon with the end of it rubbing against the wagon wheel...which had worn a hole completely through the end of the trunk.


The story has it that Grandma came close to having Grandpa make a U-turn and head back to the depot so that she could catch the eastbound train.

Wonder what kind of tongue lashing your grandfather got ??

[mariok54]

A trunk story of my own seems to fit with this thread.

My Grandparents were married in 1910, and my Grandmother was given a trunk for her belongings, quite similar to the one being discussed. A couple of years later my Grandfather had decided to go homesteading out west and built a sod house on a claim to bring his new bride to. The “claim” just happened to be 53 miles from the nearest railroad where the household goods, including the trunk, along with my Grandmother arrived at.

Granddad loaded his bride and everything on a wagon and headed the horses to their new home. Two days and fifty three miles later they finally reached their destination and begin unloading. It was at that point it was discovered that Grandma’s trunk had been loaded on the wagon with the end of it rubbing against the wagon wheel...which had worn a hole completely through the end of the trunk.


The story has it that Grandma came close to having Grandpa make a U-turn and head back to the depot so that she could catch the eastbound train.

Wonder what kind of tongue lashing your grandfather got ??

As Rauville is around to recount the tale, seems she finally forgave him!   

[mart]

Yes she must have !!  And we are thankful for it !!

[PleaseHelp]

Thank you all for the quick response!

I was told there is a patent date on it of 1877, there are not any additional markings or tags.

Below are some more pictures and again thanks for all the help, anymore information would be great!









Thanks!!!

[greenacres]

Amazing! The inside looks good too!