Hello, I have a large vintage storage trunk and I am looking at selling it, however, I don't know what it is worth. It is in excellent condition, with one scratch at the back. It locks and I have 3 keys for it. The dimensions are: Height - 27.5", Width - 22.5", Length - 49".
I see people asking up to $200 for these, but haven't seen one sell in ages.
The caveat about the asking price is two fold--most offer "free shipping" which means the seller pays shipping and that will be huge on these (so their profits will be low--maybe under $50 depending on where they ship it to) and second, these are asking prices, not SOLD prices so there is no way to gauge (in what I can locate), actual sold values by region.
I see people selling beat up ones at the flea market for $5-10, but I never see anyone walking around with one to see if that is a good selling price.
These were a staple in college dorms for years (pre plastic tubs) so not a lot of them survived so that works in your favor.
Yours looks to be in nice shape. Is it wood or particle board or something else? The wood ones I would start in the $200 range, the particle board ones, maybe start at $175. Then you can take best offer.
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.
Post back how your sale goes! Fun item! Thanks for sharing!
This looks like a nice extra large storage trunk but it does not appear to be a vintage Seward brand trunk.
I believe your trunk was probably made for Sears to resemble the steamer trunks that were popular at the time. If your stated measurements are correct then it is larger than any of the similar trunks listed online as most of those appear to be either 31" or 28" long compared to your 49" long.
Reasons I feel your trunk is really a 'Sears' trunk and not a Seward is based on size as one point although it is possible Seward made larger trunks at one time but after reviewing over 100 listings for Seward trunks the largest I have found is 30".
Seward appears to have placed their name on their antique/vintage trunks - usually on the handles. Your trunk has handles but no name. It also seems that Seward trunks used larger metal rivets/nail-heads than yours but it is difficult to tell from the pictures.
You can find similar trunks listed for sale online but the trunks that have sold are all very low value - even as low as $6. These sales are from 2015 - 2021.
It appears Seward produced well made trunks but were usually sold as utility/storage trunk and were never considered a high end trunk such as some other brands were. Although Seward became the largest trunk manufacturer in the world, their trunks were still usually used by what was generally called 'working class'.
Sold for $6 in 2016:
www.k-bid.com/
This same trunk sold for 3 different prices from 2015-2019;
$10 - $20 - $50:
www.liveauctioneers.com/
This trunk has been listed for sale on eBay for over 4 years. It was reported sold but was relisted: $349.
www.ebay.com/
Since your trunk appears to be larger than other trunks this style that may be a selling point.
I'm not sure of the value of your trunk because shipping would cost more than the value of your trunk so the value will depend on whether this style of trunk is popular in your area. Maybe a college nearby?
You can always start at a higher price with best offer considered and free local pick-up and wait a few weeks to see if any offers are made. If no offers, you can lower the price and wait again.
Information about Seward company:
"Founded in 1946, Mercury Luggage Manufacturing Company began designing high quality luggage and bags in Jacksonville, Florida. In 1998, Mercury Luggage acquired Seward Trunk Co. of Petersburg, Virginia which was founded in 1878 and grew to be the largest domestic manufacturer of trunks and footlockers in the United States. Mercury Luggage established itself as a premier supplier of high quality luggage, bags, trunks and cases that are used by major corporations, pro and college sports teams, top retailers and all branches of the U.S. military."
I recently aquired this trunk and would love to learn more about it. I believe it is from the 1800s. It has canvas on the exterior, and paper lined interior. It has a lithograph of a women on the inside of the top over a small drawer. The otherside has a broken piece of wood with a vibrant blue envelope type pocket with gold print on it. Also on wheels. The underside of the lock has a patent date of Oct 2 1883
I'd love to try and find out some history on it.
Thanks!
I purchased this trunk for $90. The owner said she had bought it from an older lady a couple of years back; she said it had been in their family for a while.
It has leather handles on either side of it, the front, middle claps is broken but the 2 side ones still close. It's got a few booboos but still seems solid.
I want to do something crafty with it but I want to know if it's worth anything before I do that. I tried to research on my own but couldn't find much. I thought it might be an R.H. John trunk but the logo isn't the same. Wasn't sure if they ever changed their logo or if this is a weird knockoff.
It will take someone with vintage/antique trunk knowledge to place a value on your trunk, as each trunk's value is based on brand, condition, age, rarity, and popularity. Even location may have a bearing on value, as trunks can be expensive to ship.
Your trunk looks to be in good condition but the provenance provided by the seller will probably be of no use as sellers can 'say' anything but without any evidence it is unreliable.
You cannot compare different trunks listed for sale or sold to the value of your trunk, as this would be the same as trying to compare apples and oranges.
As it presently stands, the $90 you paid for your trunk would be considered the current value.
Without seeking expert opinions, this is all that can be said about the value.
Just to be on the safe side, I would suggest you try to get more information before redoing your trunk.
Here are some forum sites that may be able to help you.
You will have to join each site and present your pictures and information. It may take a few days to receive answers.
Reddit is very good but not always 'user friendly'. Ask questions if having problems sending information.
www.reddit.com/
It will take a little work on your part to dig out the best information.
brettunsvillage.com/
www.antiquers.com/
trapperman.com/
You can also ask for free appraisals from auction houses.
They may not provide an appraisal if it is valued at under $500, but they will inform you of this.
www.whatsellsbest.com/
I have searched everywhere to find the maker, where this trunk came from, and its value. I see few trunks with wood slats going the opposite way except the camel back trunks?
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. By law items such as locks, latches, etc. had to have a patent date (if they were patented). This is very helpful in dating trunks. So, the timing is right, since the style of your trunk was in vogue around this time.
Sorry, I cannot understand what is written inside your trunk (on your photo). If it's Elm, then your trunk is made in England.
I don't know how high your trunk is. 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. If no, then it's Flat Top Trunk ca. 1880.
I doubt you can find out more information about your trunk.
As I understand, you are selling this trunk for $ 300 www.ebay.com/
The price is optimal.
There are not enough pictures for anyone to guess what you have. If you could include better photos, we may be able to help you figure it out.
If that is your trunk advertised as a Kittinger piece, I suggest having that verified as it appears the company is still around. www.kittingerrestoration.com/
Also that is yours and it is advertised as haunted, just a few words of guidance. If it is not haunted, the buyer is going to be very disappointed and they could request a refund or cause a lot of issues for you. Seriously. There are people out there who will fuss if the piece does not do what you say it will do--and that includes being haunted. If you are 100% confident that it will do what you says it does, then I hope the new owner loves it! There are people out there who live for this stuff and quite frankly, they take it very seriously and if you mess with them, they will mess with you back.
Please know that even though eBay has lots of items on there listed as haunted, they go through periodically and revoke seller rights to people that list items this away. They have a policy that prohibits selling intangibles which includes calling something haunted:
www.ebay.com/
I have suggested in the past that some very scary dolls should be sold that way around Halloween...but that was before I learned of eBays policy. If you want to sell haunted items, safest to do so in an in person setting!
Post back with more photos and maybe we can help! Thanks and good luck!
