"The Saratoga"

Trunk Exterior View As I Found It At The Swap Meet.  The leather was hardened to almost a crystallized state and was peeling and even missing from several areas. 

There is an original "chromolithograph" in the lid, completely intact, of what I have named “the Heidi scene”.   It appears to be more of an original oil painting than a lithograph.  

Closeup of the lid area.. unrestored to date.  Note the "jewelry" compartments,    I have not yet researched how these would have been "finished".. as separate "drawers" or with one cover that would latch to close  all 3 compartments. 

Saving the leather became a “labor of love”, involving many enjoyable hours of cleaning (NO WATER!).  Saddle soap, Lexol and mink oil were among the products I experimented with, as well as 0000 steel wool pads and superfine sandpaper.  My efforts revealed beautiful, antique, hand-tooled leather.

I lined the bottom of the trunk with cedar closet planks..  They are laid in like a "jigsaw puzzle" and can be removed.  I later plan to totally restore the bottom of the trunk with a set up tray, hat box, etc.

The trunk has "unusual" draw bolts.  The trunk cannot be opened without releasing the small latches hidden at the bottom of the draw bolts (see area circled in red).  Just another of the unique features of this old trunk!

Side view of the trunk showing the original 3 ply leather handle with iron loops.  The handle on the other end was still there but was pretty worn,  I decided to save it, but it will only serve to be "ornamental".  Neither handle will be able to be used to lift this trunk!

This closeup shows the buckle placement for the leather straps.  There are three different "locking/latching" options on the trunk..  the original lock (which is still missing), the draw bolts w/latches as well as leather straps.

• The lithograph that I have nicknamed "The Heidi Scene".  It reminds me so much of the Grandfather's place in the Swiss Alps, with Heidi greeting the pastor and his wife.

It was tedious work to clean the leather and at the same time preserve the original hand-tooled pattern.

My early attempt to restore the leather straps and buckles.  Still need to dye the leather for a better match!

Lid compartment with brown velvet using lavish purple and gold trim.  I just love this look!