"The Saratoga"

In April of 1992, I stumbled upon my first antique trunk at a car swap here in Northern California.  It was a barrel top in the Saratoga class, leather-covered.  I had been fascinated with these old "treasure chests" since I was a child, and when I spotted this one, there was no way I would be leaving the swap meet without it!

The leather was hardened to almost a crystallized state and was peeling and even missing from several areas. But.. Inside I found the remnants of what must have been (at one time) a richly decorated, ornate, late 1800's “treasure chest”.  The latching drawbolts have a  patent date of July 1873.   

There are so many wonderful trunk restoration web sites these days. I hope my site will help with the “cause” to keep these wonderful antique treasures in states of preservation for the enjoyment of generations to come.