| When thinking about the history of luggage, you | | | | popularity is also an awakened awareness of |
| have to know the authentic history of the "trunk," | | | | restoring these pieces of treasure. |
| the granddaddy of the modern piece of luggage, It is | | | | Although, current restoration techniques for trunks |
| also known as a traveling chest, which is a large | | | | are generally limited to either "wood-based", (where |
| cuboid container for holding clothes and other | | | | the central metal sheets or canvas is removed, |
| personal belongings. It's typically about 1.5meters | | | | exposing the underlying pine box, which is then |
| wide, and 0.5 meters each deep and high, or about | | | | stained in some fashion) "metal based", (where even |
| 25" to 40" wide, 14" to 28" high, and 14" to 24" deep. | | | | plain metal panels are left intact) and the almost |
| They were most commonly used for extended | | | | unheard-of "original" (a true restoration to what it |
| periods away from home, such as for boarding | | | | was, including interior wallpaper or otherwise.) |
| school or long trips abroad. The trunks although, have | | | | Interiors for these may include the original paper |
| been around for thousands of years in China and | | | | being stripped out and replaced with modern or |
| elsewhere, and the most common styles seen and | | | | original-style wallpaper, padded or unpadded fabrics, |
| referred to today date from the late 18th Century | | | | sanding/staining the interior, lining the entire trunk |
| to the early 20th, then replaced in the market for | | | | with strips of cedar, or even simple paint. Uninformed |
| the lighter more convenient roll luggage bag. | | | | restorations will often shred or damage the trunk |
| There are many, many styles of trunks such as | | | | even beyond the greatest professionals ability to |
| Saratogas, Jenny Linds, Monitors, (or Flat-tops) | | | | repair, and so you should not attempt to restore |
| Barrel-Staves, Bevel-tops, Wardrobes, Steamers, | | | | your own trunk without research. Also there are |
| Dome-tops, Barrell-tops, Wall Trunks, and even full | | | | times when leaving a trunk intact and original - |
| Dresser trunks. These differing styles often only | | | | regardless of its current condition and physical |
| lasted for a decade or two as well, and - along with | | | | appearance - is the correct action to take. |
| the hardware - can be extremely helpful in dating an | | | | So the next time you decide on shopping for a piece |
| unmarked trunk. But with the history of the | | | | of luggage remember the history and trials and fame |
| granddaddy luggage "trunk" there has been a recent | | | | of the granddaddy of all modern pieces of luggage |
| popularity to find and restore these classics of travel | | | | the "Trunk". Because of its legacy and history we |
| and luggage. Most recently these pieces of luggage | | | | can appreciate the convenience of our current pieces |
| have been used as authentic furniture for adding | | | | we use on a daily basis when we travel, work, |
| character to homes or as child storage boxes, these | | | | exercise, carry our children and just live. Thank you |
| older trunks can be found in many antique shops in | | | | "trunk. |
| your local city. With the advent rise if the trunks | | | | |