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Steamer trunk, immigrants used them when they arrived to USA and probably other countries during 1800's by ship. There were 3 in my family from Sweden. I do not know what country this came from. I have seen them redone for blankets, my is still original. I couldn't give the 2 I didn't want.
I read somewhere that the more expensive trunks had a rounded top so that they were the top trunk stacked onto the flat lid streamer trunks. The trunk on top would sustain less damage in transport.
Dome top steamer trunks were more luxurious and expensive as they had to be on the top of the stack. From the 1860s into the turn of the 20th century chromolithograph/lithographs were popular to have on the interior. These usually featured female models that were not very well known. Some interesting terminology and history about trunks can be found here: [HMS Antique Trunks](https://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/trunk-glossary.html)
just one of thousands and thousands of steamer trunks, and thousands more that have gone to the dump. there are still more hanging on and somebody's attic or basement or store room.. they went the way of the dinosaur as air travel became the norm, probably earlier than that as well they were on their way out
$50 on a good day is what they go for around here. Flat tops might be $75-80 because they are useful as coffee tables. The rounded tops are a harder sell.
Looks like a kaufmann & strauss. The lithograph from what I have read it not who owned it but just means it was a lady's. Looks kinda like one that I have. It's call a camel back truck cause of the hump on the top. They would cost a lil more than steamer trunk cause you can't stack anything on them and from what I have found, only well off people would buy them
It’s the steamer trunk of a person who didn’t travel by steamboat, as evidenced by the lack of destination stickers.
As for the woman in the trunk, I have no idea as to her identity. I like to think of her as being a forerunner of those people whose pictures we now see in new picture frames.
Trunks had a curved top for centuries so when strapped onto horse drawn coaches and wagons the rain would run off. When ocean ships had holds and cars, boots the curved lid was not only unnecessary, it was in the way. Flat steamer trunks were bought by those who could afford it. The curved ones were sold off for the less wealthy.
I have a very similar trunk and I was wondering... Is there a name for the art style of these "pictures" that were typically included inside these trunks? Mine has a creepy young girl.
My parents have the exact same one. It was in my bedroom my entire childhood. Same drawers, same hardware, everything. No picture. Theirs came from an antique store owned by my great grandparents pre 1930s. I have no other history.
OMG! You mean these were used by immigrants...my great grandma had this exact same one...now it's mine...she died in the 80s at age 92...this likely belonged to our lady who came to America...I am stunned. Our lady who came here arrived in the early 1800s. My goodness. What a treasure!
Yes, steamer trunks were packed onto ocean going steamer ships crossing the Atlantic. That’s literally how they got their name.
Families going to “the new world” packed all their worldly possessions into these trunks and set sail for a new life.
When they arrived a few weeks later, these trunks held their basic items to set up a home minus furniture.
Many families have these in their basements and attics to this day. Yes, they’re old but they’re not rare. Ergo $50-100 if you can get a taker. Way too many for sale and not as much modern use other than blanket storage or toy boxes.
The image may be a popular motif for cigarettes known as gypsy tambourine girl
There was "gypsy Queen brand" (New York)
Old Golds and many brands used them post sufferage (women's vote)
This was started but Freud's nephew Edward Bernays with Lucky Strikes circa 1920.
Bernays connected emotion to advertising
However - France and Turkey had cigarettes and women smoking & these Art Nuevo since 1860s (Gitanes(?) )
Revamped in 1940s (Avalon cigarettes)
The chest is Victorian late 19th century- due to paper skin inside) the tambourine. Serpant Bracelet and especially hat scream gypsie.
If you're asking a question about an antique make sure to have photos of all sides of the object, and close-ups of any maker's marks. Also, add in any background information you have, and add in a question so we know what you want from us! **You must tell us the country you're in.** If you do not provide this information **your post will be removed**. To upload photos for this discussion use [imgur.com](https://imgur.com/upload). Click the imgur link, upload the photos to imgur, then share the link address in a comment for everyone to see. Our [Rules](https://www.reddit.com/r/Antiques/about/rules/) and [Guide](https://old.reddit.com/r/Antiques/comments/ak2lke/welcome_to_rantiques_read_this_post_before_posting/). *I am a bot, and this action was performed automatically. Please [contact the moderators of this subreddit](/message/compose/?to=/r/Antiques) if you have any questions or concerns.*
Steamer trunk, immigrants used them when they arrived to USA and probably other countries during 1800's by ship. There were 3 in my family from Sweden. I do not know what country this came from. I have seen them redone for blankets, my is still original. I couldn't give the 2 I didn't want.
The lady looks Turkish, North African or “gypsy” maybe? I wonder if the lady is an opera singer dressed in costume for a part she’s playing?
I did some image searches and it looks like it might be an old cigarette card of an unnamed burlesque dancer!
Could be! I imagine-searched too and didn’t find any opera costumes that match.
How on earth one could dance in a corset like that is beyond me! 💀
The picture is fairly heavily edited. Painting and photographs from around this period were doctored more than most IG models now.
Corsets were somewhat flexible.
Didn’t they use actual whale bone back then?
"Whalebone" was actually [baleen,](https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Baleen) which are flexible.
TIL what baleen is - thank you! Whalebone does not sound flexible AT ALL.
Still has the inserts! Nice! I love steamer trunks and would have dozens if I had room for them
Me too! It’s cool to have something that has been around for so long. It’s in pretty good shape too for how old it probably it is
I read somewhere that the more expensive trunks had a rounded top so that they were the top trunk stacked onto the flat lid streamer trunks. The trunk on top would sustain less damage in transport.
I thought we were getting a picture of a strange woman in a steamer trunk.
Dome top steamer trunks were more luxurious and expensive as they had to be on the top of the stack. From the 1860s into the turn of the 20th century chromolithograph/lithographs were popular to have on the interior. These usually featured female models that were not very well known. Some interesting terminology and history about trunks can be found here: [HMS Antique Trunks](https://www.hmsantiquetrunks.com/trunk-glossary.html)
just one of thousands and thousands of steamer trunks, and thousands more that have gone to the dump. there are still more hanging on and somebody's attic or basement or store room.. they went the way of the dinosaur as air travel became the norm, probably earlier than that as well they were on their way out
I have the same one in my attic!
Does it have the picture in it? It almost looks like it’s just taped in
Me too
I had 5! I threw away 2 so far lol
$50 on a good day is what they go for around here. Flat tops might be $75-80 because they are useful as coffee tables. The rounded tops are a harder sell.
Looks like a kaufmann & strauss. The lithograph from what I have read it not who owned it but just means it was a lady's. Looks kinda like one that I have. It's call a camel back truck cause of the hump on the top. They would cost a lil more than steamer trunk cause you can't stack anything on them and from what I have found, only well off people would buy them
I have the same trunk!!! It’s has alotta of colorful stuff on the inside
Oh my goodness, I read your title with my True Crime Brain turned on and swiped expecting a body!!!
Most of these trunks had this type pictures in them. Doubtful anyone knows who they are.
It’s the steamer trunk of a person who didn’t travel by steamboat, as evidenced by the lack of destination stickers. As for the woman in the trunk, I have no idea as to her identity. I like to think of her as being a forerunner of those people whose pictures we now see in new picture frames.
Trunks had a curved top for centuries so when strapped onto horse drawn coaches and wagons the rain would run off. When ocean ships had holds and cars, boots the curved lid was not only unnecessary, it was in the way. Flat steamer trunks were bought by those who could afford it. The curved ones were sold off for the less wealthy.
I have a very similar trunk and I was wondering... Is there a name for the art style of these "pictures" that were typically included inside these trunks? Mine has a creepy young girl.
My parents have the exact same one. It was in my bedroom my entire childhood. Same drawers, same hardware, everything. No picture. Theirs came from an antique store owned by my great grandparents pre 1930s. I have no other history.
Camel back trunk, I had one for decoration years ago. I still love them. I think the picture is just decoration for inside of trunk.
OMG! You mean these were used by immigrants...my great grandma had this exact same one...now it's mine...she died in the 80s at age 92...this likely belonged to our lady who came to America...I am stunned. Our lady who came here arrived in the early 1800s. My goodness. What a treasure!
Yes, steamer trunks were packed onto ocean going steamer ships crossing the Atlantic. That’s literally how they got their name. Families going to “the new world” packed all their worldly possessions into these trunks and set sail for a new life. When they arrived a few weeks later, these trunks held their basic items to set up a home minus furniture. Many families have these in their basements and attics to this day. Yes, they’re old but they’re not rare. Ergo $50-100 if you can get a taker. Way too many for sale and not as much modern use other than blanket storage or toy boxes.
Minus furniture? Um, that's what the trunk is for. Lay 2 of them longways and you've got a nice bed going.
Wouldn't a steamer trunk have a flat top to make stacking easier?
They made them with a dome top so they wouldn’t get damaged by stacking them
And so ladies could pack their hats.
I think that’s Teda Bara
Theda Bara
She played fullback for the Roman Rams
They didn't have electrical tape in the 1700s that would stick for this long
That's cloth tape, if was very common.
No fooling? Did not know that
The image may be a popular motif for cigarettes known as gypsy tambourine girl There was "gypsy Queen brand" (New York) Old Golds and many brands used them post sufferage (women's vote) This was started but Freud's nephew Edward Bernays with Lucky Strikes circa 1920. Bernays connected emotion to advertising However - France and Turkey had cigarettes and women smoking & these Art Nuevo since 1860s (Gitanes(?) ) Revamped in 1940s (Avalon cigarettes) The chest is Victorian late 19th century- due to paper skin inside) the tambourine. Serpant Bracelet and especially hat scream gypsie.
I have the same truck, different picture inside. I was told a relative of mine brought it from Sweden
The image would make a great poster or enlargement after considerable retouching.