Canvas Exterior - Original Interior - Original Key
Hartmann Trunk Company - Maker
From Lord & Taylor - 5th Ave - New York
Circa 1915
SOLD
If you have a child or children, a wardrobe trunk is a great choice for safekeeping of those special
items. T-ball shirt, flower girl dress hanging on one side, a million crayon masterpieces, first
baseball glove in the drawers on the other side. I am a father to several with a good gap between my
first few and my youngest and there are tons of things I wish I had saved from my oldest. I'm doing a
little better with the youngest and a wardrobe trunk is my choice to assist with that. Takes up less
than a 2' X 2' spot, looks nice, and we have fun deciding if a particular item "rates" going in the
treasure chest. Think of the things from your own childhood that you wish you had today I believe
says it best.
This is a very nice antique wardrobe trunk from a top notch maker, Hartmann Trunk Company.
Founded in 1877 by Joseph Hartmann, they continue to this day to be manufacturers of fine
luggage and travel accessories. The movie character James Bond used Hartmann Luggage as have
Presidents and others seeking exceptional quality. This particular trunk was sold out of the original
upscale, speciality retail store Lord and Taylor on 5th Avenue, New York. Lord and Taylor was
founded in 1826 and later in the 1900's expanded its business, opening other stores across the
nation. It is the oldest specialty retail chain in the United States.
The trunk itself is in wonderful condition with its original canvas exterior that is an aged mustard
color with gray trim. Around the trunk is a painted green stripe which was used by a family or
individual to help identify their particular trunk when traveling. All hardware is original with its patina
intact and in perfect working order. This trunk comes with its original working Hartmann key which
operates the inside and outside lock. The exterior was lightly cleaned and a fresh finish coat
applied. The original Lord and Taylor brass label is intact. It displays clean but with original
character. Very nice.
The interior is 100% complete and in exceptional condition. There are no odors or any issues to
mention. There are 11 hangers present as well as the original shoe case. The interior lock works
perfectly and the hardware rust free. If you unlock and remove the top drawer, there is a lever that
you can throw that will lock all drawers in place. Then you put the top drawer back in and lock it to
secure all drawer contents. The drawers themselves have various ties and dividers depending on
the drawer. Whatever it had when new, it still does. On the inside cushion top is a Hartmann label
and another listing all the patents is on the inside bottom. Not overly "fancy" but just flat out nice is
about all I know to say.
This trunk measures 41.5"Tall X 22.5"Wide X 21.5"Deep standing up or 41.5"L X 22.5"H X 21.5"W if
laid down such as for a coffee table. A personal thought is that a trunk such as this will remain nice
for a very long time. Should your needs change, it would take to an exterior painting beautifully (its
canvas) and if in a 100 years down the road the canvas begins to degrade, it is easily cut away to
expose whatever wood is underneath. The bottom is perfect.
from old shipping labels. A
partial one remains reading
"<unknown> Express Agency.
Original owners monogram
"ERA" as well.
above left is cream colored and
unstained. I believe I caught some
reddish glare in the photo. No red
on any part of the trunk other than
the Hartmann Label on the cushion
top. The drawer exteriors below are
of a factory coated canvas that can
be wiped down
patents on this trunk