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."
Would anyone know the value of these old steamer trunks. My father worked for a moving company years ago. That is how we acquired them. They have been in family home garage for over 55 years.
Brown one is 20 in high and 32 inches wide. Black one is 24 in high and 35 inches wide.
A true steamer trunk is no more than about 14" high (width and length does not matter). This size requirement was one the steamship company's imposed. theoldtimey.com/
The first trunk is the Antique Dome Top / Humpback Embossed Metal Trunk.
Dome-Topped trunks had noticeably domed tops and were therefore less used for travel purposes. They are also referred to as round top, camel, barrel and humpback trunks, and are frequently made of embossed tin.
The last photograph shows on the lock "Pat Jul 972" which is apparently the patent date of the lock as July 9, 1872. I think this is the lock of the first trunk. This date refers to the dating of the lock, not the trunk.
Embossed sheet metal covering for trunks was made from flat sheets of most commonly zinc, tin or sheet iron, which was run through a press to put the raised patterns into the metal.
Your chest is plated with Alligator pattern www.thisoldtrunk.com/
The "Alligator" pattern sheet metal covering was patented In Feb. 1885 by William Gouldwhich. This pattern was described as "resembling in appearance crocodile's or alligator's skin or hide".
Gouldwhich also patented the "method of ornamenting" the metal with the surface "crystallized, so that the light reflected therefrom produces a mottled appearance. The outer surface is covered or coated with a suitable transparent varnish or paint having suitable and appropriate coloring matter therein. ". This "crystallized metal" finish was later produced in many colors, used both on embossed and plain sheet metal. www.thisoldtrunk.com/
So, the first trunk is Antique Dome Top / Humpback Trunk Alligator Embossed Metal circa late 1880s - early 1900's.
Small Antique Dome Top Embossed Metal Trunk (about 19 inches high x 26 inches wide x 14 inches deep) was sold for $80 www.icollector.com/
1800's Antique f.j. Pelica Dome Top Steamer Trunk chairish-prod.freetls.fastly.net/
Antique 1880s Dome Top Steamer Trunk Needs Partial Restoration (18 inch high x 25 inch width x 16 1/2 inch depth) is on sale for $150 www.ebay.com/
The price of Antique Steamer Trunk / Metal Floral Design / Restored (19 1/2 inch high x 30 inch. Long x 16 1/2 inch. Wide) is $325 www.ebay.co.uk/
The price of Antique Victorian Steamer hump back Trunk Chest (23 inch height x 30 inch wide x 18 inch depth; 18 inch high x 25 inch width x 16 1/2 inch depth) is $375 www.ebay.com/
Late 1800s HUMPBACK DOME STEAMER TRUNK - Floral Tin Pattern (17 1/2 inches high x 26 inches long x 16 inches deep) is on sale for $450 www.ebay.com/
Restored Pressed Tin Dome Top with Faux Alligator Skin Exterior (24 inch height x 33 inches long x 18 inches deep) was sold for $1295
www.thepirateslair.com/
So, in such a condition as in the photo, the price of your first trunk is about $200-350.
The second trunk is presumably 1900-1950. I think it's wooden like this Antique Solid Wood Trunk www.ebay.com/
The price is about $140-260. www.ebay.com/
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.
