by Felipe Morissette
Published 3 years ago
Updated 2 years ago
A steamer trunk is a square or domed shaped storage box used for packing clothing and other personal belongings for travel. The box got coined with the name steamer trunk thanks to its use aboard steam powered ships.
Steamer trunks, also known as cabin trunks or traveling trunks, were originally used as luggage for extended trips by steamship, train, or stagecoach or for taking to boarding school. Many were quite elaborate inside and out. Steamer trunks have a distinguishing curved or barrel top and can weigh as much as 100 pounds.
What was a steamer trunk used for? Flat-top trunks , or steamer trunks , were designed to makes these pieces of luggage easier to store on steamboats or trains. What people think of as steamer trunks today were once called “packers”—the even smaller “cabin trunks ” or “true steamer trunks ” were the most practical pieces for ship or train travel.
How to build a wardrobe steamer trunk?
May 19, 2021 · A steamer trunk is a square or domed shaped storage box used for packing clothing and other personal belongings for travel. The box got coined with the name steamer trunk thanks to its use aboard steam powered ships. Yes, steam powered ships like the Titanic, RMS Carpathia, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and SS Bremen.
How to make a steamer trunk coffee table?
May 03, 2022 · A steamer trunk is a type of luggage which takes the shape of a large rugged trunk with a flat top. These trunks were built for long trips, specifically on steam trains and boats; the flat top makes a steamer trunk easier to handle and stack.
What does steamer trunk mean?
Dec 16, 2020 · What Were Steamer Trunks Used For? A steamer trunk was used for transporting personal effects and clothing during travels. Most of them are quite attractive; hence they can be used as home décor, but ensure you use them with care. If you opt for a flat top steamer trunk for use as a coffee table, you can add a cut piece of glass and fit its top.
Are old steamer trunks worth anything?
These are the two most important factors in determining the value of your antique steamer trunk. Louis Vuitton trunks will sell for between $3000 and $20,000 while an unmarked steamer trunk will only sell for between $75 and $100. Martin Maier and Goyard steamer trunks may sell for between $500 and $3000.
When did people use steamer trunks?
1870s
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.
Why do steamer trunks have curved tops?
The curved top not only offered a little more storage space, it meant that when traveling it had to be placed on the top of the stack, and not the bottom, thereby reducing the likelihood of damage.Jun 29, 2018
Do people still use steamer trunks?
Some steamship companies report that most of the trunks used today are by former Europeans returning to visit relatives and carrying gifts, and by families breaking up households and moving to another country. One of the few people who apparently still travels in oldfashioned style is Elizabeth Taylor.Aug 13, 1973
How do you get the musty smell out of a steamer trunk?
If any odor remains, place a small bowl filled with white vinegar in the bottom of the trunk and close the lid. Vinegar is a natural odor absorber and neutralizer that will help rid the trunk of odor. Leave the bowl of vinegar inside the trunk overnight.
What wood was used in steamer trunks?
pine
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.
What's the difference between a trunk and a chest?
According to several dictionaries, a "trunk" is a large case or box that can be used when travelling or for storage, whereas a "chest" is used only for storage.May 16, 2012
What is a camelback trunk?
This trunk was commonly called a camel back, dome top or steamer trunk. The top on this trunk curves both directions. This design was first made in the early 1800's in Europe. The top was designed to prevent other luggage from being stacked atop them when used in traveling by ship to America.
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 do you identify a steamer trunk?
Looking at it from the side, it resembles an “8” (or a loaf of bread) because it curves inward in the middle, where it latches. Travel/Steamer Trunks: Mostly flat tops, these trunks were made and designed for traveling purposes and being places in snug spaces.
What were steamer trunks made of?
They developed to a far much more intricate design. Most steamer trunks were designed in waterproof paper, wood slats, duck or canvas cloth, and at times, animal hide. Decorations were in tin, either embossed or flat.
What is the fairest steamer trunk?
The dome top was the fairest of all steamer trunks because they were very ornate. They featured noticeable dome-shaped lid and were more likely used in decoration or storage of valuable items around homes. These trunks were mainly owned by the rich because they were relatively expensive. Some people bought them as perfect wedding gifts and mainly had smaller trays or compartments, with some having wheels. They are often referred to as humpback, barrel, round top, camel trunks, and mostly designed in an embossed tin.
What is a Saratoga trunk?
Saratoga trunks, named after Saratoga, NY, were bigger trunks, with numerous decorative touches incorpora ted in their design. They were mostly covered in metal detailing or decorative leather, plus large interior compartments for small personal belongings, such as jewelry and parasols.
When did chests and trunks become popular?
Trunks and chests date back to medieval times but eventually gained recognition/momentum in the Victorian Era, beginning around the 1870s. During this time, cross-country railroads were being constructed and across-the-border travel via sea, thus making long-distance travel far much easier and faster in the United States. Besides, it allowed one to transport more personal belongings.
What materials were used in the sandbox?
This type was most popular among the middle- and low-class travelers. They were designed from a mix of materials, including canvas, wood, leather, metal décor , and sometimes sealed with a waterproof fabric. Although they didn’t come with much flair, they were quite functional.
Do flea markets sell steamer trunks?
Antique malls or flea markets also tend to sell steamer trunks. A flea market will likely have an already restored trunk that won’t cost you as much. On the other hand, antique malls, particularly those employing vendors on consignment, will develop stories to make sales, hence overpricing items. Unless they present relevant documentation to show that some historical figure or renowned family owned the steamer trunk, those are only baseless stories.
What is a monitor top?
A monitor top is flat but with rounded edges. Some were very ornate, whereas some were plain. Variations in hardware were from the decorative to basic pieces and mainly differentiated in price. They provided more space compared to the flat top trunk.
When was the steamer trunk used?
Beautiful and fully original steamer trunk. This authentic traveller's case (steamer trunk) was used in the early 20th century to travel the world by boat. Travelling was then con...
What is the name of the French trunk maker?
Au Départ is the French historical trunk maker that began its life in the early 19th century. Au Départ is considered as one of four greatest French trunk-makers alongside Louis Vuit...
When were trunks invented?
They were made in many shapes and sizes and from various materials. The earliest American made trunks were from the late 1600s. They were made of various woods and covered with hides such as deer, horse or cowhide. In the 1700s the hide covered trunks continued and became a little more ornamented ...
What is a Saratoga trunk?
The Saratoga Trunk was a very large, domed top style with fancy trim, covered in either leather or metal. Early trunk catalogs and ads describe Saratoga trunks as a "large round top of the highest class". Round top trunks (also called humpback , camelback, monitor top, and barrel top) were made in a wide range of sizes and coverings.
What is the oldest piece of furniture?
The oldest piece of furniture TRUNK: word which dates from the 9th century, resulting from the high German, Malaha or malha and means satchel the trunk is the oldest piece of furniture and one of the rare pieces of furniture of the average age, at the time, it was used of chair, table, trunk....
33 hours ago
What was a steamer trunk used for? Flat-top trunks , or steamer trunks , were designed to makes these pieces of luggage easier to store on steamboats or trains. What people think of as steamer trunks today were once called “packers”—the even smaller “cabin trunks ” or “true steamer trunks ” were the most practical pieces for ship or train travel.
15 hours ago
May 19, 2021 · A steamer trunk is a square or domed shaped storage box used for packing clothing and other personal belongings for travel. The box got coined with the name steamer trunk thanks to its use aboard steam powered ships. Yes, steam powered ships like the Titanic, RMS Carpathia, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and SS Bremen.
20 hours ago
May 03, 2022 · A steamer trunk is a type of luggage which takes the shape of a large rugged trunk with a flat top. These trunks were built for long trips, specifically on steam trains and boats; the flat top makes a steamer trunk easier to handle and stack.
4 hours ago
Dec 16, 2020 · What Were Steamer Trunks Used For? A steamer trunk was used for transporting personal effects and clothing during travels. Most of them are quite attractive; hence they can be used as home décor, but ensure you use them with care. If you opt for a flat top steamer trunk for use as a coffee table, you can add a cut piece of glass and fit its top.
31 hours ago
Flat-top trunks, or steamer trunks, were designed to makes these pieces of luggage easier to store on steamboats or trains. What people think of as steamer trunks today were once called “packers”—the even smaller “cabin trunks” or “true steamer trunks” were the most practical pieces for ship or train travel.
23 hours ago
Use a Steamer Trunk as a Bar Wardrobe steamer trunks, often equipped with interior drawers, cubbies, and shelves, have been repurposed as standing bars for decades. Rather than functioning as a closed trunk, these bars are made by turning the wardrobe trunks vertical and propping open the lid to create an open, bi-fold bar.
9 hours ago
Antique steamer trunks — named for their use on steamships — mostly date from around 1880 to 1920. These pieces of luggage fit a steamship’s luggage size regulations and essentially doubled as wardrobes, ensuring that a traveler’s evening dresses and suits were kept wrinkle-free on a journey from city to city.
6 hours ago
Trunks date back to pre-medieval times. They were made in many shapes and sizes and from various materials. The earliest American made trunks were from the late 1600s. They were made of various woods and covered with hides such as deer, horse or cowhide. In the 1700s the hide covered trunks continued and became a little more ornamented with ...
