TRUNK # JH2
Corbin Cabinet Lock Co.
Manufacture:
John L. Head
Dimensions
Length: 24” Height: 22
¼ ” Width: Depth: 19
½”
The following was written by
Marvin Miller
of
To view additional pictures click on any shown
below & you'll be taken to the page inside This Old Trunk web site.
Unique
"Re-created" Oak Slat Half Trunk, Ca. 1880's
This is another fabulous oak
slat trunk with a complete interior that has been carefully designed and hand-built by master craftsman John Head. Each slat
trunk made by John will be unique and different in style, so this will truly be a one of a kind trunk. Patterned after a rare
original Excelsior slat half trunk, circa 1870¡¦s ¡V 1880¡¦s, John used an antique trunk "box", many authentic antique trunk
hardware items, plus new oak slats and other parts, to skillfully produce a masterpiece that rivals the Victorian era ¡§high
grade¡¨ trunks. Every detail of this trunk reveals the high quality materials and workmanship and many hours of time devoted
to making a fine ¡§work of art¡¨ that is sure to become a limited edition collector¡¦s item. The trunk measures is 24" wide
X 22 1/4 high X 19 1/2 deep. This trunk has been made using the following genuine antique parts: working solid brass Corbin
Cabinet Co. lock with key, two heavy duty front catches, bottom rollers, hinges, handle holders, slat braces and corner
bumpers. The rest of the parts including exterior slats, sheet metal, and handles are new. The trunk is constructed just like
the 120 year old models, with solid oak slats attached over a thick pine base, sheet metal edging and bottom, iron lid banding,
with a wooden interior tray which is totally fabric covered. The trunk has been finished with several coats of very durable,
water resistant gloss Minwax tung oil varnish. What a fabulous looking trunk with all those brass tacks and oak slats!
The
interior tray was designed after the fashionable trunks of the 1870¡¦s period. John has included his own trunk makers¡¦ label
in the lid, as did the trunk makers of the 1800¡¦s. Beautiful fabric was chosen to line the entire interior and two antique
style chromolithograph pictures adorn the tray lid and trunk lid. There is an authentic style leather lifter for the tray
lid with small brass hinges. The trunk is very strong and heavy due to all of the extra wood that an average trunk did not
have. The thick leather handles are beautifully shaped and dyed to look as authentic as possible. There are three strong hinges
for the lid.
Oak slat trunks are considered by most trunk collectors and restorers to be the rarest, highest
quality, and most sought after trunks. They were made by a few trunk companies during the late 1800¡¦s, with the most famous
being the Excelsior Trunk Company. Most trunks were covered with either canvas type fabric, leather, metal, or paper. Over
the last 35 years I have seen a variety of shapes and sizes of slat trunks, but very few compared to all other trunk styles.
The value of these trunks have increased quickly over the last few years as collectors are trying to find slat trunks for
their own homes. As with any antique, the value is based on condition, finish, completeness, age, rarity, and even location,
and most slat trunks have commanded very high prices. Half slat trunks are extremely scarce and I have only seen a few in
over 35 years of antique hunting.
Please review the pictures and feel free to send any questions that you may
have. More pictures can be sent if necessary. This trunk can be specially packed and sent by FedEx Ground. Please do realize
that this is basically a new trunk with an antique body and hardware. It is probably as close as possible to what the antique
slat trunks must have looked like when they were new. A beautiful collector¡¦s item which has many practical uses.
Price:
$1,395 plus $50 for insured shipping by FedEx Ground in the continental U.S.. For other areas please inquire about shipping
cost. You may pay with PayPal, money order, or check. If you would like to pay by check or money order, please email and we
can hold a trunk for you until payment arrives.