Collectibles-General (Antiques)/Questions Answered by Expert Marvin D. Miller

Subject	Date Asked
antique jewelry box	4/3/2012
Q: Can you tell me if this jewelry box is an antique? A: some items of that type, especially the oriental items are very hard to determine the age based on a ...
antique trunk/hat box	3/12/2012
Q: Mr. Miller: I purchased a trunk approx. 60 yrs. ago and at that time it was very old. I wonder if ... A: Norm, Your cube shaped trunk was most likely made as a hat trunk and is most likely a French made ...
antique trunk	3/8/2012
Q: What can you tell me about this trunk that belonged to my 2x great aunt who lived in Pottsville PA ... A: Katherine, I would say that if your great aunt bought this trunk new, that she would have been ...
Moran Brothers Trunk	3/4/2012
Q: Cannot locate this company to get an evaluation of an old trunk I recently acquired and trying to ... A: While I have not heard of Moran Bros. trunk company until now, I can tell you that based on my 40 ...
Antique Trunk	3/4/2012
Q: I was wondering what era this is from. It doesn't have the straps on it but is otherwise in good ... A: The value can be in the range of $150 to $300 or maybe more in some areas. The canvas would have ...
Antique Trunk	3/3/2012
Q: I was wondering what era this is from. It doesn't have the straps on it but is otherwise in good ... A: Your trunk is an American made trunk from the period of about 1898 to about 1920. It appears that ...
Geo. S. Haines Trunk / Eagle lock	3/3/2012
Q: Mr. Miller, We have a Geo. S. Haines flat top steamer trunk with an Eagle lock with a patent date ... A: yes, I'd say that is probably about right, give or take a couple years. That's probably about the ...
Geo. S. Haines Trunk / Eagle lock	3/2/2012
Q: Mr. Miller, We have a Geo. S. Haines flat top steamer trunk with an Eagle lock with a patent date ... A: That's interesting that your trunk has both spellings on it, but I expect they had a supply of the ...
Geo. S. Haines Trunk / Eagle lock	2/29/2012
Q: Mr. Miller, We have a Geo. S. Haines flat top steamer trunk with an Eagle lock with a patent date ... A: that is a great question which can help many people in determining the approximate age of their ...
Old Trunk	2/24/2012
Q: I have a old trunk its a flat top the name on it is Headley and Farmer date 1842 and says New York. ... A: Sheryl, Headley and Farmer was established in 1842 but most of the trunks found with their labels ...
trunk	2/10/2012
Q: I have a small brass trunk, can you tell me anything about it? A: based on the one picture I can see, this doesn't look to be so small. But unfortunately I cannot ...
Eagle Lock Co, Terryville	2/1/2012
Q: ! i recently aquired this suitcase that is unmarked, but has locks from Eagle Lock Co, Terryville ... A: Yes, photos would help a lot. Eagle Lock Co was in business from about 1854 to 1955 and made a wide ...
date it was made and value of it	1/31/2012
Q: i have a old ed roos cedar chest where can i find the date it was made and how can i find out how ... A: Janet, Unfortunately there is not an easy or simple answer to your question. There is a great ...
I found an antique trunk	1/31/2012
Q: I found an antique trunk that said S Levy maker memphis tennessee patented july,26 1898 ... A: Kathyleen, There is not much information available about many early trunk companies such as Levy ...
Camelback Trunk	1/27/2012
Q: Marvin, I just read about the crystallized tin covered trunk. The back of our trunk is in good shape ... A: Stan, There were a few patents for the combined corner stay and hinge, and most trunks with those ...
Family Trunk.....	1/24/2012
Q: As a child, I remember an old trunk that sat in one of my grandpa's side rooms....it fascinated me ... A: I'm glad that I can help with the information. If I were refinishing this I would start by removing ...
Family Trunk.....	1/24/2012
Q: As a child, I remember an old trunk that sat in one of my grandpa's side rooms....it fascinated me ... A: Jody, that's wonderful that you will get to keep a trunk that was in your family and then pass it ...
antique childs school desk	1/23/2012
Q: I rec'd this desk, been outside in the weather for years. I am in process of refinishing it. Would ... A: Tom, I am old enough to remember sitting in a few of the old school desks similar to what you ...
Trunk restoration	1/19/2012
Q: I am working on restoring an old trunk purchased at a yard sale for $10.00. The finish on the trunk ... A: Monica, That is a very good question and for many years most people have known very little about ...
Ocean Liner Labels on Trunk	1/15/2012
Q: My wife has a small suitcase about the size of a long hat box. I suspect it is from the 1920's? It ... A: Joe, There have been collectors of old suit cases, hat boxes, and trunks for quite some time, but ...
1930's trunk	1/8/2012
Q: hi im thinking of buyingthis from a guy in my city says its a 1930's trunk he wants $150 for it and ... A: J.J. First, I have to say that it is difficult to tell very much from the picture provided as the ...
Saratogo Trunk I wish to sell	1/5/2012
Q: I hope you can help me. I have a Saragoto dome top trunk I brought over from the UK 7 years ago ... A: Rob, I don't get many questions from New Zealand, actually I believe you're the first. This trunk ...
Old Trunk	12/19/2011
Q: I just picked up this old trunk for $30CAD and the only clues I have found so far about its age, and ... A: Irina, I think you got a good buy on your trunk. This style trunk was usually called a Monitor ...
steamer trunk	12/7/2011
Q: I found a trunk left out for the trash and wanted to restore it. I have no information on it and i ... A: Vincent, That's a great find, and certainly a restorable antique trunk which can be beautiful when ...
old trunk	12/6/2011
Q: I have this old trunk and on the inside is a portrait of a female and it has four different sections ... A: Bonnie, It certainly sounds like it could be antique because many trunks of the 1800's and early ...
dome top trunk	12/5/2011
Q: I received this trunk as a gift from a friend, who aquired it from the slim princess railroad line ... A: Krissy, Generally that style trunk in good original condition would sell at auctions or flea ...
dome top trunk	12/4/2011
Q: I received this trunk as a gift from a friend, who aquired it from the slim princess railroad line ... A: Krissy, Based on my study of trunk parts patents, old trunk maker's catalogs, and other sources, I ...
Eagle Lock Co trunk	12/1/2011
Q: I have a very old trunk that says Eagle Lock Co USA Terryville Est. On the lock. I don't see a ... A: Karen, Eagle Lock Company was one of about a dozen lock companies that made trunk locks of various ...
Neverbreak Trunk	11/21/2011
Q: Recently purchased an old trunk at an auction - did not realize what it was until we opened it up - ... A: Janice, The trunk you have is called a Wardrobe trunk and these were very popular and made by many ...
lane cedar chest	11/18/2011
Q: can you tell me about a lane cedar chest dated Dec 1954. serial # 452270 style # 2933-e If there is ... A: Nancy, Lane made a variety of models of cedar chests over many years. Your Lane chest from 1954 ...
Trunks	11/7/2011
Q: I was recently given two trunks and would like to know what they are worth because I don't know ... A: Based on the style and hardware, these trunks were probably made in 1940's, or the 1930's at the ...
antique trunks	11/5/2011
Q: i have an old trunk. Its manafactured by goldsmith & sons, neverbreak. It has a metal ... A: Misty, Goldsmith & Son had a large trunk factory in Newark, NJ and they named a line of their ...
trunk restoration	11/3/2011
Q: I have two steamer trunks that I would like to have restored. Could you perhaps recommend someone. ... A: If you would like to email a couple pictures of your trunks I would be better able to advise you ...
company name	10/26/2011
Q: I do not have a picture of this trunk but my Mother-in-law has a trunk she wants to get rid of and I ... A: The HR & Co was Henry Runcie & Company of Buffalo, NY. The company was established in 1838 and was ...
pyro art military wood chest	10/16/2011
Q: We have a very nice chest that is painted blue/green & on the interior of the lid has some stunning ... A: Jill, That is very interesting with the folk art interior. This is only my own guess, but I think ...
Vintage Paramount Suitcase	10/11/2011
Q: I'd like to start off by thanking you in advance for volunteering your expertise on this wonderful ... A: Jennifer, While this is not extremely old, probably from the 1940's to 1950's era, they are ...
Antique flat top trunk	10/1/2011
Q: I recently purchased a beautiful old flat top trunk with a Corbin, New Britain, CT lock on the ... A: Bonnie, The Corbin Cabinet Lock Company made trunk locks of several styles that were sold to trunk ...
old trunk	9/21/2011
Q: I got this at a yard sale. I am curious about its history and value. A: Beth, Based on what I can see from the picture, I can tell this trunk was made sometime between ...
trunk	9/20/2011
Q: this is another trunk i purchased at a yard sale..i think i got a good deal at 20.00 can u tell me ... A: Valerie, This short and wide style trunk is what the trunk makers called Steamer Trunks, State ...
trunks	9/20/2011
Q: i purchased these trunks and i am just wondering if u could give me an approx. date that they were ... A: Based on the style of the hardware and lock, I can say that the trunk was made from the mid 1890's ...
military footlocker	9/17/2011
Q: I have a wooden footlocker and am seeking a value. It is about three feet long, 1 foot high and 1 ... A: Francine, based on your description it is hard to know exactly how old this item may be and that ...
Flat Top Oak Trunk	9/17/2011
Q: Mr. Miller, I pulled this trunk out of the garbage about 10 years ago, and have been using it as a ... A: Alex, That's a very interesting chest that you found. It looks like it would make a great coffee ...
Old baggage	9/15/2011
Q: Was hoping that you could help me. I now own these trunks and know nothing about them. I will give ... A: Tyler, Since I specialize in antique trunks from around 1800 to the early 1900's I don't really ...
help identifying chest/trunk	9/14/2011
Q: Can you help me? I can't find any info (name, type, age, value) of this chest. The tray and ... A: first please understand that it is difficult to tell a lot of information about any antique based on ...
black barrel shaped traveling case for sewing items [I assume]	9/11/2011
Q: Miller, Can you give me any information about this case? It is barrel shaped with little feet. It ... A: Pat, There were many types of small traveling cases made by a variety of companies and from the ...
trunk lock	9/11/2011
Q: I have just refinished an antique trunk (manufacture - Totty, Petersburg, VA, early 1900s) with a ... A: Richard, Corbin and other lock makers made a large variety of trunk locks for trunk makers. While ...
trunk	9/8/2011
Q: I recieved this trunk for free..and refinished it and really like the piece..could u give me a ... A: Valerie, Based on what I can see of your flat top trunk I would say it was made sometime between ...
Trunk	9/6/2011
Q: You were so great when you gave me the answers about my Saratoga toy chest!!! I am sending you a ... A: Rebecca, I can tell you that the trunk is a flat top version of the cross slat trunk style ...
antique trunk??	8/27/2011
Q: we have recently inherited an old trunk that has an Eagle Lock co. lock on it but the lock looks ... A: Eagle Lock Company in Terryville, CT made many types of trunk locks from the 1850s through the mid ...
Old trunk	8/10/2011
Q: I just bought an old trunk, and I was wondering where it is from, and how old it may be. The ... A: what they have stamped in them is Mar. 16 '80, which is for the Taylor patent of March 16, 1880. ...
Old trunk	8/10/2011
Q: I just bought an old trunk, and I was wondering where it is from, and how old it may be. The ... A: Petra, This type of trunk was designed and patented by Charles Taylor in Chicago in 1880. It was ...
steamer trunks	8/4/2011
Q: Recently I acquired a wardrobe steamer trunk made by C H Landers company of Boston ,Mass. and am ... A: Carol, I do not have any information on a Landers trunk company of Boston. Is there a label or name ...
Antique domed trunk with inset lock stamped Terryville Conn Eagle Lock	7/31/2011
Q: I have an old antique steamer trunk, with two internal insets (complete) and the lock is stamped ... A: Your trunk is a style that was made mostly between the years of about 1890 to the 1920's. The ...
antique steamer trunk-Denmark	7/28/2011
Q: This steamer trunk came over from Horens,Denmark with my great-grandparents, probably around 1890's. ... A: Julia, That paper picture in the lid is called a chromolithograph and is very common for trunks of ...
antique steamer trunk-Denmark	7/27/2011
Q: This steamer trunk came over from Horens,Denmark with my great-grandparents, probably around 1890's. ... A: Your trunk is a style that was made from the 1890's through about 1915 with that type of hardware ...
Saks Wardrobe	7/27/2011
Q: Can you please give me any info on this antique wardrobe. It has a metal tag that reads: Saks ... A: Jill, I have never found or seen any information that SAKS made trunks, just that they sold them, ...
Saks Wardrobe	7/26/2011
Q: Can you please give me any info on this antique wardrobe. It has a metal tag that reads: Saks ... A: Jill, Saks sold a variety of wardrobe trunks made by a few different trunk companies. These were ...
Pistol Case - Duel Pistols	7/21/2011
Q: I found an old wooden box that appears to be a dueling pistol case. It has no markings other than B ... A: Victoria, In this instance it would help very much to have a couple pictures, especially showing ...
property brass tag	7/19/2011
Q: I have found a property tag that is either brass or bronze that reads " Property Wild Bills Wild ... A: Brian, While I have never personally seen or heard of a property tag of that type, I do believe it ...
Eagle Lock Trunk	7/14/2011
Q: I have a Eagle Lock Trunk , and know nothing about it , could you possibly be able to tell me what ... A: James, That additional picture helps a lot for determining the approximate age. The trunk is ...
Antique Trunks	7/13/2011
Q: I just recently stumbled across a gorgeous flat-top trunk with a Grecian(with dots)embossed pattern. ... A: your trunk is a style that was made by many trunk companies around the U.S. mostly from the mid ...
2nd picture of doll trunk	7/13/2011
Q: Miller, Here is the picture from the interior of the trunk. I sent yo a picture of the exterior a ... A: Rebecca, Your little trunk is a very nice and complete example of a Toy trunk, or sometimes called ...
Eagle Lock Trunk	7/9/2011
Q: I have a Eagle Lock Trunk , and know nothing about it , could you possibly be able to tell me what ... A: James, If you send a picture or two of the exterior I can tell much more. The interior is ...
Antique luggage	7/9/2011
Q: Mr. Miller: I would like help in the identification of a matching set of luggage that belonged to my ... A: I have tried to do a little research on my own about this luggage, but I have not been able to find ...
Antique Trunk	7/7/2011
Q: Miller, I acquired this HUGE antique trunk that I need some expert help in identifying. The ... A: Cindy, While we don't see quite as many of the very large chests of this type, I have seen a ...
HOW TO RESEARCH?	7/7/2011
Q: I havea large camelback trunk. Metal embossed (wildflower?)in a black and or marron kind of tone, ... A: Jill, The picture of your trunk did not show up for some reason. Also, even though you may have ...
Antique Trunk	6/29/2011
Q: Miller, I acquired this HUGE antique trunk that I need some expert help in identifying. The ... A: Cindy, Your trunk is really what most experts in antiques would call an immigrants chest. This was ...
Antique Steamer Trunk	6/27/2011
Q: Good Morning! I have an antique steamer trunk that is in excellent condition for it's age. It still ... A: Jill, Your trunk is in very good condition and is a quite large trunk. It is a style that was ...
key to coin box	6/24/2011
Q: good morning marvin, i have a glasco coke machine model #30000 serial #14288, but i have lost the ... A: I know someone who has a very large collection of old keys, mostly for trunks but also for other ...
Traveling Trunk	6/22/2011
Q: This trunk was given to my mom by my dad's mother around the mid 1950's when they moved from ... A: Well the burned area could be a bit challenging, but it all depends how deeply it is burned or ...
Traveling Trunk	6/22/2011
Q: This trunk was given to my mom by my dad's mother around the mid 1950's when they moved from ... A: I have specialized in trunks for about 40 years now. Based on the picture of the top that is ...
eagle lock co trunk	6/18/2011
Q: I have 2 trunks, they say on the lock eagle lock co , with a number 2441 on it,I have a duel ... A: Megan, Eagle lock company made many styles of trunk locks starting around 1853 and ending in the ...
old wooden trunk	6/11/2011
Q: ...I am in possession of an old wooden trunk. I think it is a Naval or other brand of the Military ... A: This sounds like one of several types of military footlockers that were made by many companies on ...
Cass Doll suitcase	6/7/2011
Q: I have a red and green plaid doll suitcase with black trim and brass fittings with the label ... A: Kathy, I've restored, collected, bought and sold trunks and toy or doll trunks for about 40 years ...
James S Topham trunk	6/6/2011
Q: We have found an old trunk that has a plate on the lid of the trunk that says James S Topham Trunks ... A: Chuck, I am only able to see one picture, but that is enough to tell you what I can about this ...
James S Topham trunk	6/6/2011
Q: We have found an old trunk that has a plate on the lid of the trunk that says James S Topham Trunks ... A: James Topham made a variety of styles of trunks for quite a few years. Would it be possible for you ...
Cedar Chest	6/6/2011
Q: it is me again. I looked inside that last cedar chest that you were not sure about and found a stamp ... A: Yes, I thought that other chest looked like something made in the U.S. in the 1920's to 30's but ...
Old Trunks Worth	6/5/2011
Q: I inherited my parents estate and they had both of their parents estate and their grand parents ... A: Cathy, This chest or trunk is a handmade item probably made just for shipping items over to the ...
Old Trunks Worth	6/5/2011
Q: I inherited my parents estate and they had both of their parents estate and their grand parents ... A: This trunk style was patented in 1880 by Charles Taylor and was called the Cross-Slatted trunk. Some ...
Old Trunks Worth	6/5/2011
Q: I inherited my parents estate and they had both of their parents estate and their grand parents ... A: I collect, restore, sell, and research antique trunks of all types. This flat top trunk is from ...
Old Trunk	5/13/2011
Q: I have my great grandfather's trunk that he came over from Scotland to Ellis Island with. It is not ... A: The basic answer to your question is maybe. That is because like most old items or antiques there ...

All Questions in This Category

Marvin D. Miller

Top Expert on this page

Expertise

I can answer questions related to antique trunks, their age, manufacturers, styles, patents, etc, including all types of trunks such as steamer trunks, saratoga trunks, Victorian trunks, slat trunks, toy and doll trunks, stagecoach trunks, valises, hat trunks, and others.

Experience

I have over 40 years experience in trunk restoration, collecting, and research. I own the most extensive collection of historical documents, catalogs, maker's labels, cards, etc. related to antique trunks. I am always updating my inventory of historical documents and antique trunks.

Organizations
Association of American Antique Trunk Restorers, President.

Publications
Primarily on the website www.ThisOldTrunk.com Cotton & Quail Antiques newspaper (Southeast). Antique Journal magazine.

Education/Credentials
Bachelor of Arts from the University of Georgia. I have conducted extensive research related to the topic of trunk manufacturers and trunk styles in the U.S. and Europe.

Past/Present Clients
Have consulted for the Pawn Stars TV show on antique trunks. I have sold antique trunks to museums in California and Florida and to customers around the world.

Encyclopedia

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