I'm wondering if that might represent Star Lock Works?? The date seems to coincide. If so, then it gives an approximate (but not totally accurate) date for your trunk. Will check around a bit more
http://www.thisoldtrunk.com/guestbook/index.htmlMike Garrity
Location:
Missouri
posted: 11/02/2005
Was wondering if you can provide me any information about Star Works Trunks. These are the only markings on mine:
Top Latch:
PAT MAY 64
& 67
EXT 69
Bottom Lock:
PAT MAR 1869
STAR LOCK WORKS PHILAModerator-Comment: Star Lock Works in Philadelphia made a variety of nice brass trunk locks for trunk makers. They didn't actually make the trunks, but they made really nice trunk locks.
They were founded in 1836 by Mr. Liebrich and originally the locks were marked with C. Liebrich, Phila. and then in 1869 he retired and two partners, Hillebrand and Wolf took over the company and called it Star Lock Works. They made trunk locks and stays, keys, padlocks, latches and springs. An early trade card advertising Star Lock Works was shown in the Bicentenial exhibit for Philadelphia in 1976. I think they finally went out of business in the very late 1800s. This is a good question because many people think that the name on the lock would be the trunk maker, when in fact this is rarely the case. There were several large lock companies that made most of the trunk locks, including Eagle, Star, Yale, and Corbin. Many of the locks do have a patent date on them and that can help estimate the age of the trunk, but won't tell you who made it.