T107 - Hand Trunk, Gold Rush Trunk, ca. 1840's

Size: 18" wide excluding handles, 10" tall and 10" front to back.

A very rare little trunk made to be carried aboard stagecoaches, by horseback, etc., similar to our modern day carry-on luggage. This one dates way back to the 1840's based on the style of the lock, thick leather handles, and solid brass studs, which was a style originally made to resemble gold nuggets during the gold-rush days of the 1840's. The earliest large brass studs used on trunks were handmade of solid cast brass, such as these. Later, in the 1850's and 1860's these were made from a layer of thin brass pressed over wood or tin, and were used mostly on the Jenny Lind trunks of the time. This unusual little trunk was found up in Vermont and was most likely made somewhere in New England. It has very thick wood which I believe is fir, thick hand stitched leather handles and trim, and a handmade iron and brass lock (no key). It is amazing that the original handles and leather trim survived, but it's because they are so thick and were well cared for. Normally only the wealthier folks would be able to afford a trunk such as this with the solid brass trim. The interior is fabulous with the special lid compartment and it's leather trimmed door and hand carved wood closing strip. I've seen this same type of design in other early trunks of the 1820's to 1840's. The interior is relined with fabric and a piece of the original fabric was still left on the lid compartment door and was left intact. It has a hand rubbed satin finish (not glossy polyurethane) which gives it a real antique look. Another really interesting feature of this trunk is that the handles are on the top part of the trunk and not the bottom, but on a small trunk such as this it didn't really matter. Quite an interesting small trunk which is a real decorator piece and collectible.

Price: $325 plus $15 shipping and insurance in the continental U.S.