Details
Description
c. 1880s/1890s; The Duquesne Company/Duquesne Steel Works - Pittsburgh, PA
Framed trade sample board produced by The Duquesne Company, manufacturers …
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c. 1880s/1890s; The Duquesne Company/Duquesne Steel Works - Pittsburgh, PA
Framed trade sample board produced by The Duquesne Company, manufacturers of sheet metal trunk coverings, showcasing a broad range of embossed metal patterns intended for commercial selection and ordering. The display features thirty-six individual metal samples, each affixed with a central brass tack and numbered for reference. Patterns range from crocodile and pebble-grain textures to floral, foliate, geometric, and engine-turned motifs, demonstrating both decorative and protective surface treatments typical of high-quality trunk and case production. Original lettering across the top reads "The Duquesne Company, Manufacturers of Sheet Metal Trunk Coverings, Pittsburg, Penna." with additional instructions along the margins noting "Samples of Tapestry Iron" and "Please Order by Number."
Mounted within its original wooden frame, this board functioned as a salesman's or showroom reference piece, allowing customers or retailers to select finishes by number rather than description. The variety and density of samples reflect the competitive late-19th-century luggage and trunk industry, when embossed metal coverings were valued for durability, visual distinction, and resistance to wear. The Duquesne Company operated in Pittsburgh during the city's industrial peak, supplying specialty metal goods to trunk makers and related trades at a time when rail travel and long-distance shipping drove demand for rugged, well-finished cases.
Founded in the industrial heart of Pittsburgh, The Duquesne Company was part of the region's broader sheet metal and light manufacturing economy, supplying specialized components to trunk, luggage, and case manufacturers during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
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- Dimensions
- 26ʺW × 2ʺD × 38ʺH
- Styles
- Industrial
- Period
- Late 19th Century
- Country of Origin
- United States
- Item Type
- Vintage, Antique or Pre-owned
- Materials
- Metal
- Condition
- Good Condition, Original Condition Unaltered, Some Imperfections
- Color
- Brown
- Condition Notes
- Shows age-appropriate wear throughout, including toning and discoloration to the paper ground, oxidation and surface wear to the metal samples, … moreShows age-appropriate wear throughout, including toning and discoloration to the paper ground, oxidation and surface wear to the metal samples, scattered abrasions, and small edge losses to the backing. Lettering remains legible, samples are intact and secure, and the frame shows minor finish wear consistent with age. Overall presentation remains strong and highly legible as a display piece. less
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Returns & Cancellations
Return Policy - All sales are final 48 hours after delivery, unless otherwise specified in the description of the product.
Cancellation Policy - Prior to shipping or local pickup, buyers may cancel an order for up to 48 hours, unless otherwise specified.
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