Replies

1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2002 07:27am | #1

   Are you speaking of crates or trunks?  When I think of curved top and iron hardware, I'm seeing a trunk -- privately owned carry-all.  Just trying to get an idea of specifically what you have.  With most antiques, less is more when it comes to refinishing.  The less you do to change the original finish the better unless it's so bad that it just has to be totally refinished (IMO).

   If you end up needing parts, VanDykes is a good place to look.  http://www.vandykes.com

   forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   TurtleBoy | Aug 27, 2002 02:15pm | #2

   You are right on, I ment "old shipping trunk" I'll have to go back and edit that post.

   Thanks for responding so quickly and for the link, I'll be tring it later today.

   Turtleboy

2. 
   Gretchen | Aug 27, 2002 02:18pm | #3

   Agree with Forest Girl--sounds like trunks to me.  There are whole books about restoring them.  If the wood is showing then sand and put some finish on it.  If the leather is still on it (as between the black straps) and is still in good shape you will want to preserve it probably. If it is flaking off--well come back and see if this is what you are talking about.  These are not RoadShow antiques.  You are not going to hurt the value by restoring it.

   Gretchen
1. 
   forestgirl | Aug 27, 2002 07:34pm | #4

   "You are not going to hurt the value by restoring it." -- As long as Varathane isn't part of your definition of "restore" LOL!forestgirl -- you can take the girl out of the forest, but you can't take the forest out of the girl   ;-)

1. 
   DennisS | Aug 27, 2002 08:35pm | #5

   I've got an old steamer trunk that my Dad told me was what my great gramma had her things in when she immigrated from Moravia. There's a cloth lining that's pretty tattered up and the metal hardware has some surface rust in addtion to being pretty beat up.

   Of the old things we have around here from the family, some amatuer antique buffs have told me that they're more valuable left in their 'un'restored state. I've got an old crank telephone (Sarge knows what I'm talking about -grin-) I was going to dissassemble and re-finish but everyone urged me not to.

   Is it the current state of opinion that these things should be left as they are?

   Dennis in Bellevue WA

   [email protected]

1. 
   Gretchen | Aug 27, 2002 11:54pm | #8

   old steamer trunk that my Dad told me was what my great gramma had her things in when she immigrated from Moravia

   And actually many immigrants did make big shipping boxes to bring their things to the new world.  I have a wonderful box with the man's address on the side in German script going to Toledo Ohio.Gretchen

2. 
   Gretchen | Aug 27, 2002 11:50pm | #7

   You are not going to hurt the value by restoring it." -- As long as Varathane isn't part of your definition of "restore" LOL!

   Well, you sure got that one right. I have however seen TOO TOO many that are "restored" exactly that way--plus being sanded down to the splinters.Gretchen

2. 
   TurtleBoy | Aug 27, 2002 09:55pm | #6

   Yup,

   That's exactly what I'm talking about. I want to try to get the trunk to look like it may have in the past and be functional. I'm not interested in being 100% accurate with the materials, rather I'd like someone to think it's an old trunk that looks like it's in good shape. And hey, using it to store clothes wouldn't be a bad idea either.

   Thanks for the help, now what single book would you recomend?

   Turtleboy