Here are the questions asked by community members. Read on to see the answers provided by the ThriftyFun community.
Can you give me a ballpark of approximate value and age?
Judging from the outside looks of the trunk I am not sure it this is actually dirt or in very poor condition. It would be nice to see the inside of the trunk to get a better idea about this trunk and what it looks like on the inside. Just by looking at the outside of this trunk, I would say that a person would not pay more than $35-50 for this trunk. I understand it is quite large for a standard trunk but the condition of this item lowers the value you will receive when sold. If you can clean this up a bit and make it look a lot nice you should be able to ask more for the trunk.
Your pictures show a vintage trunk in very bad condition - several missing pieces, damaged wood and overall condition makes it appear that only someone who wanted something to use in a shed or garage for storage would even take a second glance.
Yard sale or flea market value (my opinion) would be less than $50 and according to where you are located, it may not sell.
Hopefully, someone with more knowledge about old trunks will have a better opinion.
You can always ask someone on a trunk forum for help:
trapperman.com/
www.antiquers.com/
www.thriftyfun.com/
I have a old trunk. I was wondering what time period you think it's from? And also the worth of it? Thanks for your help and time.
You will probably need more pictures but you good try asking questions on several vintage trunk forums.
www.antiquers.com/
www.thisoldtrunk.com/
This link also has some information.
www.thriftyfun.com/
If you want excellent information, you can pay $28 and receive an authentic appraisal that will provide all the information about the trunk.
www.thisoldtrunk.com/
Just want to know what I have and what it's worth. Old 1800s trunk.
Such a trunk is called Dome-top or Round-top or Curved-top or Barrel top (or barrel stave) or even "Convex-top". There are terms Hump-back, and Camel-back, which are slang for a Barrel Top trunk www.worthpoint.com/
I found several very similar to your trunks:
Antique Metal and Wood Camelback trunk chest (Steamer steampunk vintage) is on sale for $500 www.ebay.com/
The price of refurbished late 1800's Antique Swedish Camelback Ornate Trunk is $1,800 www.ebay.com/
Another Antique Trunk $100 www.ebay.com/
Antique Large Camel Back Trunk $369.99 www.ebay.com/
Another trunk is currently being auctioned, while there is only a starting bid $70 www.ebay.com/
There's even a $3,000 price tag for a fully refurbished Antique Large Camelback Dome Top Trunk 37" X 22" X 27" www.ebay.com/
I was told it is a European trunk. I am looking for more info on it. Thank you!
I think this is a Civil War era trunk (circa 1870). 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. Many of these trunks were banded with metal.
I got this trunk from my grandmother years ago and I absolutely love it! I'm interested to know what the value is and who and when it was made as some day I want my grand kids to have it and would love to give them the deets. Also if this is not a steamer trunk, what is it?
Thanks so much!
$100-$200 for a flat top trunk:
www.ebay.com/
Do you know the name of this trunk and how old it is? The value? Thank you.
This is a "Dome Top Steamer Trunk". For many who travelled, a dome top trunk was preferred over a flat top trunk. The flat tops could be and were stacked upon each other, sometimes crushing or doing other damage to the trunks below. The dome top trunks could only go on top of the stacks and therefore less chance of damage to the trunk and it's contents. The dome top trunks also provided a little more capacity for belongings.
Any idea on the value of this old trunk?
I think this is an Late 19th or Early 20th Century Canvas Flat Top Trunk.
The exterior is covered in a green painted waterproofed canvas. The interior originally covered in a thin protective paper.
If the trunk is no more than 14 inches tall, then this is a Steamer trunk. 14 inches tall, because steam ships had carry on size regulations just like airplanes do today. Steamer trunks first appeared in the late 1870s, although the greater bulk of them date from the 1870-1880 to 1920-1925 period.
There are quite a few Canvas Flat Top Trunk with horizontal slats on sale, but your trunk has vertical slats. I found a trunk similar to yours with vertical slats, but completely restored: Large Late 19th or Early 20th Century VERY Unique Flat Top Antique Steamer Trunk www.thepirateslair.com/
The price of another Restored Antique Flat Top Trunk with vertical slats, Working Lock & Key, New Leather Handles, Victorian Lithograph is $935 www.etsy.com/
Name brands usually bring in more money.
An unmarked not restored steamer trunk will only sell for between $75 and $250. Flat-Top Steamer Trunk with oak frame, leather straps and handles (one missing) and decorative metal mounts, the interior retains the original gray plaid lining and interior tray, labeled Frank A. Stallman, Columbus, O. was sold for $100 www.ebth.com/
The price depends on many factors, for example, on the size of the trunk, on the internal condition too.
We found this really cool trunk for a very good price and we are wondering if you have any information on it. Me and my husband would love to know the history behind it if possible. We were told it was from the 1800s but that's all we know. Was also wondering if this beauty is a trunk or a chest. We think it looks like it came off a pirate ship
What do you think?
This trunk looks similar to your trunk and is listed @ $75.
www.ebay.com/
Various trunks listed for sale:
www.ebay.com/
Interesting info here:
www.txantiquemall.com/
I was wondering if anyone knows or knows where to find information on this trunk. My friend gave it to me but she doesn't know anything about it. I would like to restore it as much as possible but I don't know what colors it was. The whole thing is covered in thin metal that has lightly rusted but still good with no holes, and the wood still seems to be in pretty good condition for the most part.
It has 4 little rollers on the bottom and is missing the lock.
A dome top trunk is priced from $25-$4000 depending on the age, style, and condition. This will give you an idea of the color of your trunk and prices.: (Gold was a popular color for trunks.)
www.ebay.com/
Interesting article on trunks:
annaworden.com/
I have an American 1867 R2380 domed trunk. I was wanting to know what it's worth and where I could sell it.
This is an Antique Dome Top / Humpback Embossed Metal Trunk.
Dome-Topped trunks had noticeably domed tops and were therefore less used for travel purposes. They are also referred to as round top, camel, barrel and humpback trunks, and are frequently made of embossed tin.
Embossed sheet metal covering for trunks was made from flat sheets of most commonly zinc, tin or sheet iron, which was run through a press to put the raised patterns into the metal.
Your trunk is plated with Curly Hungarian Ash pattern www.thisoldtrunk.com/
1800s Antique Trunk, Antique Storage Chest, Wooden Steamer Trunk, Dowry Chest with Dome Top is on sale for USD $827.85 www.etsy.com/
Antique 1800's Dome Top Steamer Trunk was sold for $699 www.chairish.com/
Antique Dome Top Steamer Trunk with Insert, Floral Pattern Metal Overlay, 34" W x 22" H x 19" D sold for $36 bid.auctionbymayo.com/
You trunk is is good conditions, but you didn't write the dimensions. I think the price is about $300-400.
But the price depends not only on the state of the trunk, but also on where this trunk is sold, on the demand / prices in your area.
Found this in my grandpa's garage who passed away and want to sell. Just trying to find the price I should sell it for. No idea what the value is.
It looks like your steamer trunk has it's top tray, which makes it much more desirable to someone who is interested in buying it. Use a bit of plain white toothpaste (if you don't use it in your household, I suggest getting a tube at Dollar Tree, but be sure that it's not striped, just plain) and gently use it on a damp washcloth to scrub the plate where the latch is. You don't need to go nuts and scrub it back to good as new, just so that the date/year it was patented. Once you know when it was made, you'll be able to get a price for it from your local antiques store. Take several photos from all angles so you can prove that there's no hidden damage, but especially one of the date, that's going to either help you a great deal, or put it in the moderate range.
The bow of the top of the trunk will also be a concern to the buyer, those who want a coffee table with character, or someone buying it for a child's playroom as a treasure chest. They'll have to secure the lid so there are no unfortunate accidents, but that's their expense.
Most times, people who were the children of the original owners put them in basements (mold issues) or attics (heat damage). If you do have any odor, I suggest that you put a lipped cookie sheet inside with a complete box of baking soda poured onto the cookie sheet and leave the lid closed for a while and it will take up all of the odors. Once you've got your date and a lot of good photos of it, I'm sure that it would fetch a really good price from your antique shop! Good luck! It's a pretty one, for sure!
I am wondering what the age of this trunk would be. It was used as part of the Home Child emigration programs were over 100,000 children were removed from the UK and sent to Canada as child labourers.
The program existed between 1869 and 1932. This trunk looks like it was in the earlier part of the program. www.bac-lac.gc.ca/
