Unload old trunk at a nice price

By Terry Maurer, What's it Worth

Q. This has been in the family for more than 50 years. The lock on the front has "July 9, 1889 pat. pending." We are moving on out of town and the trunk is just too big to take with us. Can you give an estimate of its value, if any? Thank you in advance for your anticipated assistance. -- Mark in Pasco

A. As the transcontinental railroad was completed and Americans became more and more mobile in the second half of the 19th century, luggage became quite specialized. Trunks led the way. Before we get to values, let's define exactly what this trunk is.

Commonly called a "camelback" trunk, this style is also known as a dome top, round top or humpback trunk.

There were quite specialized versions of these trunks, including styles like the "Jenny Lind," "Brides," or "Saratoga" trunk" and the "hat trunk." Those models came with extensive interior compartments, some designed for specific items like hats and bonnets. Some had secret compartments.

This is a leather covered, metal and wood strapped camelback that looks to be in quite good condition. It appears from the photographs to have all of its original hardware. Both condition and original parts make it more valuable than a trunk that is beat up and has parts (like handles or straps) missing. For example, having the original key and a lock mechanism that works can add 10 percent or 20 percent to a trunk's value. With this trunk, the interior shelf is missing and that will lower the value.

The patent date is 1889, placing this trunk rather late in the era of their popularity. Round top trunks became the vogue in the 1850s, and sales peaked by the early part of the 20th century. The rounded top is thought to have been a way to ensure that this trunk had to be placed on the top of any stack of trunks, minimizing the possibilities of damage.

Trunks like this have a wide value range, again depending on condition and also the desirability of the particular model. While this trunk is nice, it is of a standard variety -- so there'll be no special added value for an unusual style.

A trunk quite similar to this one sold recently at an Alabama auction for $225. We have seen listings as high as $900. The true retail value probably is somewhere in between those figures; let's say in the range of $400 to $600. That's a price we'd expect to see at a large antique show or shop in a big city. Regionally, the price may be lower

Q. This picture is very colorful and came from Australia. I've always been told the material used is butterfly wings. Can that be true? -- Mabel in Richland.

A. Absolutely true. This charming little picture is made from the wings of butterflies. While this one is older, probably dating to the middle 20th century, the craft still is being practiced today and we see many imports of butterfly wing pictures from South America and Africa.

The earliest of these pictures date back more than 100 years or so. They normally were brought back to the United States as souvenirs of foreign travel and most of the earliest ones we've seen are from South America.

The designs generally reflect the country of origin. That is, South American butterfly wing pictures will tend to have scenes from Latin cultures. Modern African items focus on animals like lions, zebras and giraffes.

Those made in Australia and England (made from imported butterfly wings, in the case of England) are mostly figural -- like these ladies. Some even mirror the styles of the times in which they were made. A picture of a stylish woman walking a wolfhound -- a very Art Deco image -- sold online in England recently for $75.

We'd value this attractive little piece at between $30 and $40.

w Terry Maurer, a Tri-Cities personal property appraiser and antiques dealer, is a member of the Certified Appraisers Guild of America. You may submit your antiques and collectible questions to What's It Worth by e-mail to whatsitworth@clearwire.net

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Sunday, May. 18, 2008

Unload old trunk at a nice price

By Terry Maurer, What's it Worth