Trunk Restoration

[KATE1880]

Hey Everyone,
I am hoping to get some advice here. I have recently gotten my hands on a old humpback trunk, possibly around 1860s. Has two side latches and a center lock mechanism, but alas the key is no where in sight.
Question #1 -- any help in how to date trunks???
This trunk does show some wear as it had been previously loved. It's missing it's side handles that were leather.
Question #2 -- Would it be better to leave it as it is or to try to restore it?
Question #3 -- Is there an article somewhere on restoring old trunks???

[MoFed]

Re: Trunk Restoration

You might find some good info here:http://www.brettunsvillage.com/

Charles D. Hoskins

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Hello Cheri,

Trunks are my Dad's hobby. Thanks to this I have developed my own little obsession. My favorite is a Taylor trunk that converts into a desk.

Here are a few sources pulled from my annotated bib to get you started:
•Brettuns Village Trunks. www.brettunsvillage.com. This site contains an ongoing list of trunk makers that is very useful in locating where a labeled trunk may have been from.

•Ettinger, Roseanne. Trunks, Traveling Bags, and Satchels. Atglen, PA: Schiffer. 1998. This contains late 1800’s trunk advertisements.

•Gulshan, Helenka. Vintage Luggage. Willson. 2003. This book contains some beautiful trunk and non-trunk options as well as some useful history.

•Labuda, Martin and Maryann Labuda. Price and Identification guide to Antique Trunks and How to Repair, Decorate, Restore Antique Trunks. Cleveland: 1968. These short booklets contain some nice black and white photographs with brief, general descriptions.
•Morse, Pat and Linda Edelstein. Antique Trunks: Identification and Price Guide. Iola, Wisconson: Krause Publications. 2003. This book contains color photographs arranged chronologically as the authors see the trunks.

•Treasured Chests. www.oldtrunks.com. Nicely organized website with trunks arranged by type.

As for your questions...
#1 - It's not to hard to generally date trunks. Morse (above) suggests starting with the locking mechanism. This approach will give you the earliest date possible. From there look at the irons, construction and shape. Another help is looking at the materials used for covering the outside and embellishing the inside. I have had people tell me they have a CW era trunk that obviously depicts a late Victorian woman on the interior. Also, look for the maker. One of the websites in the above list includes a nice list of makers and manufacturers.
Personally, I enjoy looking at the patent records for the locks and hardware as well as period advertisements. If you want some direction for these, I can add some source to start with.
#2 – This is where my Dad and I sometimes disagree. I am a big advocate of minimal restoration. On trunks of historic significance or uniqueness, I say leave it alone. On a common trunk, I prefer a good cleaning, replacement of missing hardware and occasional careful spot repair. On trunks that are really at the end of their life, I don’t have a problem with a full restoration or recreation.
Once you look into your trunk a little more (maker, date, etc), you can replace the handles fairly easily. Dad has his handles custom made locally from a man with original die cuts. You can purchase handles at a few of the places above. If there are any remnants of the handle left, try to match them. Make sure you don’t damage the wood on your trunk as you work with the hardware replacing the handles. Most trunks have the interior ends of the nails/fasteners blunted or bent. If you try to pull these out, you may break the wood.
#3 – There are a few good sources out there that cover restoration. The Labuda is very short, but a basic starter. There is a video out there (I don’t remember the name) that I do not suggest for historic restoration.

If you have pictures, I would love to see them.

Anna Worden

[Drygoods]

Re: Trunk Restoration

I'm sorry to say that this is not something I know a good deal about, my husband does though. I don't know how many trunks we have, but it's more than I have digits. As for the leather straps and things like that, he buys leather from our local leatherworks factory, but I think that he gets some hardward from Van Dykes..... www.vandykes.com Some of the things he gets he buys from a local antique store that has bins of old tools and broken down parts. I don't know if they have anything like that near your home, but it is worth asking around to see if you can use as many original parts as possible.

[cwar1864]

Re: Trunk Restoration

I recently recived a humpback trunk for a present. I was pointed to www.rockler.com for repair supplies. They seem to have quite a few things. They also have a catalog I suggest you request. Also found www.antiquessupply.com , which have leather handles & rivets, also try www.shenandoahrestoration.com
I hope this helps. As I have yet to start repairing mine I wish you luck. I'm hopeing it's not to hard to repair.

[lrbrightwell]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Just read interesting article in Dec issue of Citizen's Companion on trunks. You may want to read that.

Roger Brightwell
1st Neb Vol Infantry

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Just read interesting article in Dec issue of Citizen's Companion on trunks. You may want to read that.

If you are reading this article, please take a moment to add this page which has the full captions for the locks, hinges and handles. http://www.geocities.com/shadowofthe...leCaptions.pdf

Anna Worden

[KATE1880]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Any suggestions on period colors? I've seen many things at events, I've read the CC article and found it interesting, but I wanted about another four pages of Frequently Asked Questions answered pages. =)

I would like to send out a HUGE THANK YOU to everyone who has suggested a place or person to contact in restoring my trunk, you have all been so helpful....I should have the resources I need now...... If only I had the time/talent/money that is going to be necessary. As this is my first attempt I'm going to allow for mistakes that I will log as "know better next time" .
Thanks Again Everyone,

[toptimlrd]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Cheri,

If you are going to restore it yourself, a word of caution: many finishes used in the past contained hazardous materials such as lead and arsenic. Please be sure to wear proper equipment (i.e. respirator and clothing) when stripping the old finish.

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Any suggestions on period colors? I've seen many things at events, I've read the CC article and found it interesting, but I wanted about another four pages of Frequently Asked Questions answered pages. =)

Are you asking for colors for the outside (wood, metal, paper) or the inside (paper, cloth)?

Anna Worden

[Emmanuel Dabney]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Agreed with Mr. Collett. The job of restoration of furnishings should be technically handled by someone trained in the art, usually a conservator. They are not cheap but have the training and education to complete the art of preserving and making necessary replacements in kind.

General products on the market (like Home Depot or Lowe's) are not going to treat your historic objects kindly.

Kindly I suggest seeking out a conservator to at least advise what to do with this object to preserve it.

[Anna Worden Bauersmith]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Emmanuel is quite correct that restoration should be left to someone who has signifigant experiance in restoring and/or conserving trunks. I had to reread the thread to realize that is what you are actually asking rather than just for information on originals. If your trunk is from the 1860s, it may be better to conserve it rather than restore it. I would rather see a reproduction trunk being used at an event than a restored original, regardless of quality. If your intention is to have the trunk worked on, several of the sources earlier on the thread will be able to offer their specific thoughts on whether to conserve or restore your trunk. Personally, I prefer to leave the trunk in it's current condition if it is sound until you can save to have it done well.

And, Please, do not go to a general hardware store for supplies. No, no, no.
You simply will not find anything proper for a trunk. Nails and rivits are made completely different than period pieces. Using modern pieces will just damage the trunk.

Anna Worden

[KATE1880]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Hello guys, ok so one more question. If i have a trunk that has been previously painted (a awful color) what is the best "stuff" to use to remove unwanted paint? Is there a great paint remover out there that would remove the unwanted paint without ruining the wood underneath? I've seen commercials for some icky green stuff...does that really work???

OH AND ONE MORE FACT -- thanks to me having taken this trunk to a profession to restore, I have now learned that it is not an original CW Trunk!

Apparently a few years back whoever owned this trunk wanted it to look more original, so he took this newer trunk and put older parts on it, and then painted it burgundy with a icky silver. But something about how he put the old parts on the newer trunk is what gave away it was not an original. The restorer told me the giveaways, but alas being a non-knowledgeable-girl i cannot remember now what he said the terms were. something regarding the nails etc.

So now I am looking into how to make it useable trunk and not worrying about preserving.

One question unanswered is what about the inside? Did they line them with newspaper, cloth, or velvet? Anyone got any details here?

[Spinster]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Likely the previous handyman used the wrong nails---they are pretty obvious even to the untrained eye--like mine. :D

Now that you know you have a mismash of a trunk, forget removing that paint--paint over it and save yourself some time.

Then, cast about for some reprint Harpers Weekly or Southern Illustrated or Leslies reprints

http://www.harpersweekly.com/

Buy some early war or pre war issues, whack them up and line the trunk. Lots of lovely pictures there. Spread a watered mixture of white glue on the surface, and dampen the paper, smoothing carefully as you go. You'll want to put a finish coat of varnish or some other water resistant after the papers have dried well.

While you have the mess spread out, cover , paint and line some band boxes too. You'll be glad you have some smaller containers inside that trunk when you go hunting for your gloves......

Before you get into all this, do make sure you are not creating a total farbery---if the basic exterior lines of your trunk are wrong for the period, then this is still lipstick on a pig.....

[Iron Scout]

Re: Trunk Restoration

Folks,

Having restored several trunks (including leather) myself, I've always enjoyed this fellow: www.thetrunkshoppe.com

Seems to have the hardware piece down pat. Not everyone can build a correct document box.

Neill Rose
PLHA