Does anyone know the maker of this type of trunk?
Hi I believe have the same trunk. Were you able to identify it?
Thanks Carol
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I want to know more about my antique trunk. I'm just curious what it is worth, but more importantly what do I actually have.
This is a rounded-top (also referred to as dome, curved, and barrel-top) steamer or "packer" trunk, popular in 1870-1920. This type of trunk originally were more expensive than flat-tops and remain slightly more valuable. The brass fittings are nice, and it appears the internal tray compartment is included.
There are a lot of different stories online about how trunks came to be named 'Jenny Lind' but from all accounts several companies made the Jenny Lind but the only way to know which company made each trunk had a paper 'tag' on the trunk that provided the company information.
There were many companies that produced this style of trunk at the time so without a maker's label it would be difficult to know which one did the work.
Here are some of the comments found online:
First story:
"The trunks were named after the Swedish singer Jenny Lind, who came to America in 1850 and toured with P.T. Barnum she carried a distinctive trunk which became all in the rage, it was eventually named for her: The Jenny Lind Trunk. It is up for debate as to whether she brought her trunk over from Europe or bought it in America. Rounded on the top and bottom they are sometimes called Saratogas if fancy enough. Rounded on the top but straight on the bottom they are not Saratogas. Both are however considered Jenny Linds ".
Second story:
"There has never been any proof or evidence that trunks of this style were made in England. But I did find proof in early American business directories that this style trunk was made in America even before Jenny Lind came here in 1850. Small etchings of this type trunk were used in advertisements in business directories from 1849 and 1850 and later.
This one sold for $395 in 2019 - they called it a child's trunk:
www.thisoldtrunk.com/
You will notice these trunks were made in numerous styles. Difference in number of straps. tool work and even shape.
www.collectorsweekly.com/
Value seems to be about $400 but not enough sold items to say for sure.
You may be able to contact these sites and gain more information:
antiquetrunksandchests.com/
www.thisoldtrunk.com/
www.antiquers.com/
trapperman.com/
Your trunk has a hourglass shape if you look at it from the side. This is a distinctive feature of Jenny Lind trunks. These trunks are named after the Swedish singer of the same name.
Jenny Lind trunks were usually very decorative, with brass locks, usually leather covered, with several iron or brass bands around the trunk, fastened with large brass studs, and they curved in at the center, elaborate interiors with paper lining and trimmings.
These trunks were very popular and the style continued until the 1870s. They were made in many sizes and varieties, including doll trunks. Some also refer to these trunks as "stagecoach" trunks because they were also used for stagecoach travel.
So, Jenny Lind trunks were made from the late 1840s-1850s to the 1870s.
I found several chests with the same lock as yours: www.etsy.com/
Your trunk was most likely made in the 1860s because it looks like the trunk of the Civil War era. Due to the need for metal and leather in that period, little tin was used in the manufacture of trunks. The surface was originally covered with paper. The good condition of the wood outside of your trunk is due precisely to the fact that your trunk was originally covered with paper.
If there are no marks on the trunk, it is very difficult to determine manufacturer and/or exact year. I doubt anyone can determine the manufacturer or the exact year from the lock on your trunk.
So, you have Civil War Era Jenny Lind (1850's-1860's) All Wood Antique Trunk with Original Brass Bound Straps and Large Brass Nail Caps and a Brass Lock with a Feather Hiding the Keyhole, Stagecoach Trunk. The price is about 500-600$.
Hi, would someone tell me something about this piece? Type of wood, age and range price if I want to sell it?
Thank you.
Thanks for posting! This type of trunk is often referred to as a domed immigrant trunk (where I am, but others may call it other things). I have seen them called barrel top also.
Most of the original ones (1800s-mid 1900s) were made of pine (typically lighter in weight than oak or other hardwoods), but it is very difficult to tell from the photos. It is usually best to have some one see it and feel it to verify the wood type.
The screws look centered (the groove) so that lends it to being made from the 1840s to today when hand hewn screws were replaced by machine made.
It looks like even dovetailing connections which lends it self to being after the 1860s to today when hand dovetailing was replaced by machines.
It is difficult to tell from the photos what the handles are made from. Can you tell? If they are original, that can help date the piece.
As you can see...dating becomes a process of elimination for even the experts. Part of this is because throughout history "new" pieces were often made to look old.
There are two sites I as a reseller use when I need deep details...
You may want to reach out to this site and see if he can help:
www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/
First read his truth and myths post which sums up why dating trunks is so hard: www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/
OR there is a Facebook group called Steamer Trunks and Restoration. They are good also--but you have to follow their rules so check those out before asking.
Also check out their media section because you will need different types of photos for them vs what is posted here.
As for value, that is regional and once you get a good ID on the piece for age--it will be best to check with a few antique dealers in your town to find out what they fetch where you are.
You could sell it online, but shipping is a nightmare so the antique dealers can give you retail values for your area and you can expect to get 1/2 of retail if you sell it on your own (typically--sometimes you get more, sometimes less).
Post back what you learn! Thanks for asking!
This is a Rustic Dome Top Coffer Trunk or Chest.
It is made from oak or pine. Examine the wood carefully.
Oak grains are more wavy with more knots and unique markings. It is more defined and noticeable than the grain on pine because, like most hardwoods, it has deeper pores. Pine tends to have straighter grains that are lighter.
Pine is usually a lot lighter than oak due to the density of the wood. Oak is a hardwood while pine is a softwood. Softwood isn't actually soft. The actual difference between soft and hardwood is in the structure of the wood. While softwood is still very strong, hardwood is more durable. This means that oak furniture has a longer lifespan than pine. This is why oak is more expensive.
Your trunk/chest is from the 18th or 19th century.
Trunks in the 19th century often had metal elements (cross slats, latches). Your chest has no cross slats, no latches, and therefore no patent dates, so it cannot help define the 19th century of manufacturing.
The handles of your chest are similar to those of trunks/chests made in the 18th century, for example 18th Rustic Solid Oak Dome Top Coffer Trunk or Chest www.pamono.eu/
Rustic Chestnut Trunk With Over-Scale Iron Hinges, English Circa 1860 www.gardencourtantiques.com/
In the 19th century, trunks were often covered with canvas or leather or metal. Your chest was not covered as the outside of the wood is very different from the inside. It so happens that the old covering sometimes is removed, but then the surface of the wood on the outside does not differ so much from the surface on the inside.
Although it is believed that the majority of the trunks that people own today were made between the 1860s and the early 1920s, this is not always the case.
The price depends on the period when the chest was made.
The price of Rustic Solid Oak Dome Top Coffer Trunk or Chest circa 1750 is 750 Euros www.pamono.eu/
Late 18th.c. Oak Seaman's Chest c.1790 was sold for UK £695 (about US $936.65) www.antiques-atlas.com/
The price of 19th Century Victorian Rustic Pine Dome Top Trunk is $812.79 www.1stdibs.com/
The price of c. 1725 Antique GERMAN Colonial Immigrant Chest Dome Top Trunk Or Blanket Chest is US $2,550 www.ebay.com/
I think your chest/trunk was made in the late 18th century or early 19th century.
Hello, I picked up and old trunk today and I would love to find out more about its age and its history. It smells amazing and it's really cool to think of the adventures it's been on and the history its lived through.
I've had a good look online and can relay the following:
Hello, I recently picked up this chest at a garage sale to add to my collection. I would love to learn some information about it and have not been able to find another one like it. Initially, I was drawn to it because of how heavy and solid the chest is but then I opened it up and saw it have a fold-down compartment which really intrigued me. 
I'm usually pretty good at figuring these things out but this one has really stumped me. My best guess is maybe some sort of surveyors tool chest? regardless I think it's a great piece and glad to have it and I appreciate any information you could give me in any idea what the value of it might be just for my own curiosity. Thank you!
Your chest/trunk is green and has inscriptions, which is very typical for military trunks. It is also very typical for military trunks to paint over inscriptions and add new ones.
The compartments inside your chest were most likely used to store some kind of tool or parts of it.
I found a slightly similar trunk with compartments inside: www.worthpoint.com/
I think you have a Military Tool / Parts Box / Chest / Trunk www.ebay.com/
The price is about $100-250
picclick.com/
Who can help me with this old wardrobe trunk? I have multiple pictures and I did find a patent number and date but not very clear.
