
Estimated at between £15,000–£20,000 ($19,050–$25,400). How do you date a Louis Vuitton trunk? Each trunk has its own identification number. Thanks to Louis Vuitton archive records, the serial number is a simple way to find out the year and month of manufacture and sale of your trunk.
Full Answer
How to find out the value of an antique trunk?
Steps 1 Measure the size of your antique trunk. If the your trunk is 30 inches (76.2 cm) or under then your trunk will be worth more. 2 Try to determine what time period it comes from. What style of trunk do you have? ... 3 Objectively determine its condition. ... 4 Check for any fancy 'add-ons'. ... More items...
How old do antique trunks and chests get?
Although trunks have been in use for thousands of years, most antique trunks available have an age range of 50 to 200 years. These antique trunks have a vintage appeal for home decor, and they are often restored to preserve their structural integrity and functionality. What Materials Are Antique Trunks and Chests Made From?
What is a vintage trunk made of?
Wood - Vintage trunks and chests are usually made of partly or all wood. The antique wooden interior offers strength so that the vintage trunk can hold heavy woolens and household goods. The wooden parts of the antique trunk may be made of oak, pine, mahogany, ebony, or cedar.
What is the purpose of the metal on an antique trunk?
The metal on an antique trunk is designed to protect the trunks corners. After years of use, the antique metal may develop a characteristic patina. A metal patina is a change in color that takes place with exposure to oils from the hands and oxygen in the air.

How do I know if my trunk is antique?
1) To be considered antique, trunks must be at least 100 years and cannot have been restored. This greatly affects their value and should definitely be taken into consideration when you're looking to start or expand your collection.
How much is an old steamer trunk worth?
While a luxury antique Lois Vuitton steamer trunk may not go for less than $20 000, there are normal household vintage types you can get on Amazon for less than $100.
How do I know if my chest is antique?
0:143:01Rediscovery Centre - Tips to Help Identify Antique Furniture - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipYou can see that is worn from front to back and also this excessive wear here but their TimbersMoreYou can see that is worn from front to back and also this excessive wear here but their Timbers literally. Has more way to nothing that's a good sign of age look at the interior. You will see that.
What can I do with old wooden chests?
A vintage trunk can be also turned into a home bar, just renovate or decorate it as you need and then put on some legs of your choice, or put several trunks on each other. Voila! you can use the top or open the chest and place bottles and glasses inside.
What can you do with an old trunk?
If you find a beautiful vintage trunk you can even use it a purely decorative piece. It doesn't have to be repurposed as a bedside table, coffee table, nightstand or anything else. Just use it as a place to display a few decorations and place on the hallway or somewhere where everyone can see it and admire it.
How old is a steamer trunk?
Steamer trunks (named after their location of storage in the cabin of a steam ship, or "steamer") which are sometimes referred to as flat-tops, first appeared in the late 1870s, although the greater bulk of them date from the 1880–1920 period.
How do I know if my antique is valuable?
"In addition to online services and search engines, it is possible to find out how much your antiques are worth by simply asking an antique dealer or an appraiser at an auction house, for instance," Martin says.
How do I know if my antique furniture is valuable?
Here's How To Find Out If Your Old furniture Is Vintage Or Financially ValuableTrace Back the Furniture's Owners. ... Determine the Age of Your Furniture. ... Consider the Rarity of Your Vintage Furniture. ... Check for Vintage Furniture Quality. ... Look for Vintage Furniture in Good Condition.More items...•
Is there an app to help identify antiques?
Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff. Find out how valuable your antiques are with ValueMyStuff.
What are cedar chests worth?
Old Lane cedar chests sell from $100 to about $700 depending on the age, condition and whether the hardware is original. Most are worth about $200 to $400. Cedar chests made before 1987 have lids that automatically latch shut when closed, which poses a suffocation risk to children.
How do you clean an old wooden trunk?
Vacuum the inside and outside of your antique trunk. ... Wash wooden antique trunks and leather handles or decorations with a mixture of warm water and three capfuls of saddle soap in a bucket. ... Clean metal antique trunks with a mixture of one part white vinegar and one part water in a spray bottle.More items...
How do you refurbish an old trunk?
2:468:02DIY: Refinishing An Antique Trunk - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipThe first step was tearing out all of the old canvas. And then after that we sanded down the insideMoreThe first step was tearing out all of the old canvas. And then after that we sanded down the inside of the trunk and applied a polyurethane to seal during this filming I was not wearing gloves.
What can you do with a steamer trunk?
Protect the top of a leather or very old wooden trunk with a sheet of glass or a metal tray to avoid water rings and provide stability to glassware or decorative objects. The generous space inside of a coffee table-sized steamer trunk works to store clothes or bedding and pillows for occasional couch surfers.
What are old steamer trunks made of?
They were usually made of pine and covered in decorative material or leather. Some of the more recognizable styles of trunks include the Jenny Lind, Saratoga, steamer, barrel-top (also known as "Camelback Trunks"), and full dresser trunks.
How do you clean an old steamer trunk?
Mix up a 1/2 cup of Murphy's Oil Soap in a bucket of warm water. Dip a sponge in the solution and wring it out until it's damp, not sloppy wet. Wipe the inside of the old steamer trunk out until it's clean. Rinse and wring the sponge out as needed.
What is a Jenny Lind trunk?
Jenny Lind was actually given a trunk of this style while traveling in America, by a trunk maker from Cincinnati, OH. She kept the trunk and used it as a hope chest as she was getting married after her U.S. tour. The trunk later was given to someone who brought it back to the U.S. and it wound up being sold here.
How to determine if an antique trunk is worth more?
1. Measure the size of your antique trunk. If the your trunk is 30 inches (76.2 cm) or under then your trunk will be worth more. The reason is that smaller trunks fit easier in peoples homes than larger trunks. ...
How to ask someone that restores antique trunks for their opinion?
Ask someone that restores antique trunks for there opinion via email with good quality photos of your trunk. You should also note the condition of your trunk in the email.
What era was the trunk?
Best Answer. 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. www.pinterest.com/ .../.
What is a typical trunk of the late 1800s?
Best Answer. This is a typical trunk of the late 1800s and early 1900s. At that time they were often covered in smooth metal, embossed or canvas. They have wood slats and metal banding. Your chest is covered in canvas, the metal brackets are stamped "Pat Mar 80" - patented in March 1880.
How tall is a steamer trunk?
I see very often that antique trunks are called Steamer Trunk. True steamer trunk is a trunk, no more than about 14" high (width and length does not matter). This size requirement was one the steamship company's imposed. If your trunk is no taller than 14 ", then you can name it Steamer Trunk ca. 1880.
When was the steamer trunk named?
If your trunk is no taller than 14 ", then you can name it Steamer Trunk ca. 1880. If no, then it's Flat Top Trunk ca. 1880.
Is a steamer trunk good?
Yes. First - this seems to be a very nice antique/vintage steamer trunk and although it is difficult to actually tll condition from pictures most of your trunk looks to be in good condition and does not seem to be missing any hardware - which is very good.
Can you take pictures of a trunk?
The pictures are not good enough for identification so if you approach anyone for information you should take some good pictures so the actual trunk can be seen.
Is furniture a regional value?
Like other "furniture" type sales values are regional so if you are in a colleges town in a big city, for example, these may be a dime a dozen or if you are in a rural area, they may be scarce.
