19th C. Geo. B. Bains & Sons Leather Dome-Top Travel Trunk c.1885

Details

Description

ABOUT

A late-Victorian luxury leather-clad luggage travel trunk features a classic rain-shedding dome top. Secured with heavy-duty solid brass corner … Read more ABOUT

A late-Victorian luxury leather-clad luggage travel trunk features a classic rain-shedding dome top. Secured with heavy-duty solid brass corner guards, solid brass studs and rivets throughout, a rugged solid brass central lock latch with original keys and dual vertical leather security belts. The interior features a multi-compartment lift-out tray covered entirely in a crocodile-embossed finish, outfitted with three barrel-curved lidded side sections and a central removable leather document pouch. Two more fabric covered lift out trays are below that. Authentic maker/retailer trade label on the inner lid and original shipping tag marked "1915" on the outside.

CREATOR Geo. B. Bains & Sons, Philadelphia.
DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1885–1900.
MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Leather, Solid Brass, Camphor Wood.
CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use. Repair to right strap. Right strap insert broken. Middle barrel curved lid bent. Fabric strap middle tray broken. Leather wear throughout. All leather heavily re-moisturized.
DIMENSIONS H 24 in. x W 37.5 in. x D 20.5 in.

HISTORY

Camphor wood was the premium choice for travel trunks—especially maritime and campaign chests—for three critical reasons: Its a natural pest repellent. This scent aggressively repels moths, beetles, and silverfish. Moisture and mold resistance. Camphor is a dense, oily hardwood that naturally repels water. It resists mildew. warping, rotting, and mold growth in humid, salty ship hulls. Aromatic masking. The strong, clean, medicinal scent masked the damp, musty odors of long ocean transit. The distinctive, pleasant aroma can persist in the wood for centuries. See less