Vintage Flat Top Trunk W/Tray
J. McNamara Trunk Works - Maker - Chicago
Circa 1930
SOLD
trunks built for the twice a year casual vacation and then there were others built of a grade to
withstand traveling 200+ days a year, such as for theatrical or circus performers. This one qualifies
as the later. The entire trunk is edged with thick cast metal trim that is decorated with lines and
various designs . The hardware is heavy duty as well except the lock which is an antique from the
Eagle Lock Company. This lock was on there when I acquired the trunk and is not original but
period. To further secure things, there are three bands of steel encircling the trunk. A nice touch is
that at each of the corners there is a hard compressed fiber material that very much gives the look
of leather. It is a large, bold trunk measuring 38.5"L X 25.5"H X 22.5"W and quite solid.
Not long ago I came across another older item that had been painted yellow many moons ago. It
had picked up its share of dust and soot over the years to the point where the dirty brown was
almost overtaking the yellow. But the yellow was thick enough that it was not worn off, just dirty and
it managed to filter through the brown to produce a beautiful color. This is my humble attempt to
create that "old yellow" that I liked on another piece. With that said, this trunk retains its original
canvas and what you see on the outside is new paint rather than wood.
I do not feel you would be disappointed in person.
shown above. Also present is the original makers label although it is not perfect. On the underside
of the tray is a McNamara Trunk Works 5 Year Guarantee label. A 5 year guarantee on a trunk
showed their confidence of durability, most were 1 year.