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.
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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.
Thank youll always and forever I was valuable information looking through what I was sent Im still intrigued if yall are close up at the Trunk by the lock there is a symbol that has stars around it and some type of a leaf the guy continuously pointed this out thats only if you were smade with that marking on them oh thats true or not I dont know but he said thats for sure it was an 1860 truck and thats how he could thats how he identified it was it looks like a latch if you look close about it but I like a leaf
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.
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. So, that does prove that they were not copies of trunks that Jenny Lind brought. Also, the real proof was recently discovered by Jim Cardoza and he has written a article about this also. Jenny Lind was actually given a trunk of this style while traveling in America, by a trunk maker from Cincinnati, OH. She kept the trunk and used it as a hope chest as she was getting married after her U.S. tour. The trunk later was given to someone who brought it back to the U.S. and it wound up being sold here. But it was advertised as "Jenny Lind's trunk" and after that time the name stuck for these trunks. So the name was really given to these many years after her tour in 1852."
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.legacytrunks.com/
www.collectorsweekly.com/
Value seems to be about $400 but not enough sold items to say for sure.
You may be able to contact these sites and gain more information:
antiquetrunksandchests.com/
www.thisoldtrunk.com/
www.antiquers.com/
trapperman.com/
Your trunk has a hourglass shape if you look at it from the side. This is a distinctive feature of Jenny Lind trunks. These trunks are named after the Swedish singer of the same name.
Jenny Lind trunks were usually very decorative, with brass locks, usually leather covered, with several iron or brass bands around the trunk, fastened with large brass studs, and they curved in at the center, elaborate interiors with paper lining and trimmings.
These trunks were very popular and the style continued until the 1870s. They were made in many sizes and varieties, including doll trunks. Some also refer to these trunks as "stagecoach" trunks because they were also used for stagecoach travel.
So, Jenny Lind trunks were made from the late 1840s-1850s to the 1870s.
I found several chests with the same lock as yours: www.etsy.com/
Your trunk was most likely made in the 1860s because it looks like the trunk of the Civil War era. Due to the need for metal and leather in that period, little tin was used in the manufacture of trunks. The surface was originally covered with paper. The good condition of the wood outside of your trunk is due precisely to the fact that your trunk was originally covered with paper.
If there are no marks on the trunk, it is very difficult to determine manufacturer and/or exact year. I doubt anyone can determine the manufacturer or the exact year from the lock on your trunk.
So, you have Civil War Era Jenny Lind (1850's-1860's) All Wood Antique Trunk with Original Brass Bound Straps and Large Brass Nail Caps and a Brass Lock with a Feather Hiding the Keyhole, Stagecoach Trunk. The price is about 500-600$.
Does anybody have any idea Ive been looking for the last two days on the lock the symbol thats on the lock I cant find it anywhere
I found seven trunks for you with exactly the same lock, and as you can see, none of the owners of these seven trunks could find out who made these locks/trunks. Therefore, I think that it is practically impossible to find out.
Diana thank you so so much for all the information you have provided me I cant thank you enough
You are welcome :)
Please let me know if you find out how to identify this lock.
It is hard to tell without identifying marks. I would take it in to a dealer if I were you.
Are there any labels, stamped or burned in letters, numbers, names, etc that could help identify this beautiful trunk???? Report back any additional info about any markings, please.
The information that I received was from a gentleman that used to collect trunks he doesnt anymore and he went off the symbol thats on the lock thats in the pictures is how he knew exactly what it was
Antique trunks @ ebay priced from $25-$600:
www.ebay.com/
Thank you Judy, The gentleman that gave me most the information was kind of by accident Judy but he went by the symbol thats on the lock or by the lock he knew exactly what it was he said it was a Jenny Lind from 1860 now I got how he got that information Im not sure but he knew exactly what it was but thats Ive been messaging him and he hasnt message back and it says it is his stuffs closed so I dont know it was through Offer Up so its just like seriously by accident I had it listed and he was like dont sell that find out more about it before you do that and I appreciate you know I told him I greatly appreciate it I was but he he knew hes like what you have is an original Lindy 1860 Trunk its a keeper its probably valued in the thousands is what he told me but I cant like I said its not that its not the money so much I just wanna Ive done research and its so hard to piece together especially having a three-year-old and I own a furniture company in but this is something I am really looking forward to finding
It is nice that you intend to keep this beautiful trunk.
There are still a lot of these and similar trunks available to purchase and most were made in 1850-1860. Sadly, age does not always make something more valuable unless it is really rare as you can see if you search online.
From recently sold Jenny Lind trunks your trunk's value is not in the thousands but it certainly could be in the future.
I was information has been very helpful but the main focus that I was told to focus on was the latches on the lock for the levers I was told only a few of them for me thats from 1860 for the history and I have no idea it looks like a leaf with some stars in a circle
I have been following this chain and have a question. Are you in Australia? The only trunks I am finding that even remotely match yours in description from 1860 are from Australia and are described as camphor wood and brass trim trunks. Typically sold in sets of three. Still trying to find a photo to see if it looks like yours.
I have found some references to these in the US, finally, but none have sketches. If it is that old, the originals sources would most likely have just a sketch--or just the words. I have one more card up my sleeve and if it turns anything up, I will post back.
The leaf the fascinating part of the piece. I would love to know the source the gentleman used to determine the year. Maybe I will get a new card for my sleeve :)
I am going to refer you to a Facebook group that has seriously talented restoration experts and I am hoping they can give you an immediate ID vs. this speculation. The group is called Steamer Trunks and Restoration
You have to ask to join, but they should be able to help you.
Please post back with your findings so we can all learn and have the info for our future reference and the sites' visitors!
Blessings!
Thank you it is fascinating right to leave I dont know why the sleeve is such a big role but Im just obsessed with it and of course I will definitely definitely message if I hear or find out anything about this but theres something with this leaf Im telling you and its gonna be something remarkable the fact that this Trunk is over 160 years old and its in my home gives me goosebumps and chills to touch it is a whole different story I dont know whose hands touch this but they did a remarkable job building it and Im just privilege as a part of my life and a part of my family but theres something about this leaf that I cant stop thinking about and obviously its not much to think about because I dont have much on it
Also whats the Providence like what is that exactly I know what the definition is but what does that consist of or how would I get one or can even get one I dont know can someone explain Providence to me and what it is in like words I understand
I think you mean provenance, which is the history of the piece. It's often used in artwork to show the chain of custody throughout the years. For example, if you inherited a memento from the Civil War that includes a letter written by your great grandfather, that help show the provenance and that it is truly from the time period. Another example is furniture that has been passed down for generations. A way to prove that is by showing photos of the furniture throughout the years. Here's a Wikipedia article that talks more about it.
en.wikipedia.org/
I don't think you would be able to establish provenance with your chest. You would need more information from the man who sold it to you and he probably doesn't have any proof aside from word of mouth. He would need to have a bill of sale or some other way to show that it is truly from the time period.
Hope this helps.
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