Hi, my wife has had this steamer trunk for about 20 years. She got it from her mom and I don't know how long her mom had it. It has some sentimental value as a gift from her mom and also she is from Cincinnati, which is the city name printed on the top of the trunk. She doesn't think it is an original family piece. We have remodeled the room where we kept the trunk and now it doesn't really have a place in our house. We usually donate the furniture that we can't use anymore, but we are reluctant to donate this until without knowing the value. Any help will be appreciated! Thanks!
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That trunk is in pretty good condition. An expert would know more but I think that Mendel Drucker was in operation in the 1920s. They were a big trunk manufacturer based in Cincinnati. It's in good enough condition that it might be worth hundreds of dollars.
If you are interested in donating it, you might offer it to your local museum. Other ideas might be to a local theater company.
Look for identifying marks on the bottom, inside or on the lock. If you are not sure, bring it into a dealer.
You are smart not to donate something that may be valuable.
Here is a picture of the label on the trunk.
Saw this one listed @ 'buy it now' price of $175.
estatesales.org/
I have several, and keep them in the spare bedroom as they're not entirely visually appealing (mismatched, as a group, and don't really fit well with my other furniture). They are, however, terrific for organizing things like gifts, gift wrapping / bags / tissue, Christmas decorations, household linens for special occassions ...
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