Antiques Chatroom Board

jred - I didn't photo the trunk before starting work on it. I inheirited it from an aunt who got it from a 3rd husband (now there was a merry widow) whose grandfather came from Ireland in 1880 leaving his fiance behind with a promise to send fare as soon as he was settled. He sent for her and she arrived with this trunk packed with all her worldly belongings including some pewter spoons that I have and they were wed. He did not treat her well and she packed and using her butter and egg money she returned to Ireland. He missed her and begged her to return and promising to reform and once again sent her fare and she did come back with the trunk and never left again. How much of this is true??? We will never know.

These flat top trunks were made from about 1870 to 1910. The first were plain wood with wood slats then later covered with heavy decorated canvas which did not wear well so next was embossed tin decorated to look like the floral canvas - surprising as the tin was more expensive. Steel rosettes and corners and handle caps became more ornate as time went by. This is where the family tale/timeline may come apart as this trunk has all of the goodies including the original tiny casters.

I know you have a fab resouce post but I don't know how to access it to see if you have this info. I'm refurbing an old trunk. Missing a steel rosette and needing replacment leather handles. I found several sites that sell parts and others that instruct on repair/replace. Some are commercial as they sell old parts but if you have any interest do google trunks - tin embossed - and how to. This trunk has a history. If you want to be entertained, just ask.

bama - thanks again. It's the sweet hand made brass handle that made me pay attention. I've decided to keep it. I have often used it to carry flatware to the garden so why stop now? All of this has reminded me that I may be the only one left that remembers it's orig. owner would go to Europe with only a shopping bag for luggage, that she rode horses every day into her late 80's and suddenly it has become too precious. Y'know, dotage isn't half bad. *o)

Imagine the excitement - Quick! Somebody invent the screw driver!

Thanks, bama. I dint knowd you wuz an artist. I think this is between 1880 and 1910. I bought it from the antique dealer who liquidated the contents of the house. But Jeeves (I never trusted that sneaky guy) says in 1908, square-drive screws were invented by Canadian P. L. Robertson, becoming a North American standard.

G'morning, all. I have a question reguarding a mahogany cutlery tray. I know the old estate it came from and am trying to date it. Dove tails and hand wrought handle but slotted screws. When did they come into use? Thanks for any help ~

uhhh - I saved the image as a JPEG and uploaded that.

Many peeps are having problems with their avatar, and not just here. My solution was to paste my chosen pic into Word, center it and save it with a huge white border. Then upload it and crop out all the white.

bama - you must think me an ingrate for not responding about the black dots on sterling. But I am grateful! I read every word in the link and then chickened out. When I list them I will ID them and say something inane like "cleaning will be the new owner's joy "

Started refurb of kitchen - what was I thinking?!?!? doubt it will be finished this year. The NM mantra is mañana - last week the contractor was here about 5 hours. But he and his workers, all relatives, are very sweet and he called me several times to see how I'm doing. *o/

Do you have an eBay site for antique questions? The computer help is fading away. I guess that was the intent. Anyway, it's nice having my own private antique help chat. lol

Well, it will come as no surprise to you that I'm slow - just saw the the options on the right of this screen. I did not realize you have a cluster of chats - found exactly what I was looking for in Books.

ginnyrose & bama - yes, helping is fun and it's when we learn, huh?

How do I get little black dots out of sterling and where do they come from? I hestitate to attack the ones inside sherbet bowls because of the gold wash.

Also, any of you have the URL for the new book chat?

Oh, m'dears, I thought I'd lost you but here you are all snug and safe. *o)