T114 - Rare Excelsior Oak Slat Trunk Ca. 1876

Size: 28 1/2" wide, 19" tall, 17 1/2" deep.

A beautiful Excelsior Patent Trunk in excellent restored condition! Stunning looks with all golden oak slats and complete original hardware, solid brass lock with key, working cast iron catches and bottom rollers. A great collector's and decorator's item and will certainly be a conversation piece. It's very strong and a great size to use anywhere in your home or on your boat! The interior is thick heart pine which has been cleaned and finished, and a replacement tray has been made similar to the original. Thick double layer stitched handles have been replaced using the original cast iron handle caps. This style slat trunk was patented in 1868 by Jonathan Eaton in Boston and were made in a few varieties. This one was made in approximately 1876 as can be determined by the hardware styles and patents. The special iron catches were patented in 1873 and the brass lock was patented by Eagle Lock Company in 1875. A Centennial trunk! Ulysses S. Grant was president and that's the year George Armstrong Custer was defeated at Little Bighorn by Chief Crazy Horse!

The lid has a slightly rounded shape and five outer slats with large head nails. The bottom is sheet iron covered in excellent condition and repainted. The four iron bottom corner rollers work well. No hardware has been changed or replaced on this trunk. I have added an early 1870's print in the lid which shows a woman holding the American flag and an anchor. The original owner's initials are painted on each end.. EMH...Ernest M. Hemingway?? Probably not as he wasn't born until 1899. But this unique style of trunk was used by ship captain's and rather wealthy individuals as these were more expensive to produce. Very few of these have been found, especially in such nice condition. This has been carefully cleaned and hand finished with satin tung oil to preserve it for another 140 years! Own a piece of history! Copies of the trunk and hardware patents will be provided to the buyer also.

Please contact us if you have any questions or would like more pictures. Shipping is by FedEx ground, well packed and insured. Personal delivery can be arranged within certain areas, so please contact us if interested.

Price: $2,195 includes shipping within the continental United States.