"The Saratoga"

Found this in a quiet little California Delta town.  Paint splashed and dirty, but pretty much "all there"

The inside was pretty shabby, but the Maker's label was complete.  In my early days of trunk restoration, I could not find a way to save the label.

The tray was there with hinges and leather tabs that told me it was missing a lid.

I was pleased with the appearance of this old flat top after a good cleaning.  Especially happy with the results of the white leather strapping.  All original including the Eagle Lock for which I was able to find a working key.

My daughter picked the fabric for this trunk.  It was definitely a labor of love.  I was able to print a "replica" of the trunk maker label and fabricated a new lid for the tray..

I lined the inside of the tray with white satin.  Not a good result.. I learned a little too late that the wood would show through.  Next time I will underline satin with a cotton or light muslin fabric.

My son picked out this trunk for me to restore..  It is a small flat top.  The front slat was damaged, straps were missing, otherwise pretty good shape outside with original lock.

This trunk was completely stripped on the inside when my son picked it out from a trunk dealer here in Sacramento in 1992.

This old brass lock polished up nicely.  At the time I did the restoration on this trunk, I did not know much about trunks and need to update my info on this one!  Learning when this lock may have been made will help with that!

Now you know why I call this trunk "Little Blue".  At the time I did the restoration (in this case call it a "renovation"), I did not think the little trunk was that old.. figured it might be a WWI military trunk.  Will need to find out now!

I was very happy with the way this turned out using the striped material.   It took a little extra effort to match the stripes from the lid to the bottom :)

I still need to round up more information on this lock!  In my years of trunk restoration pursuits I have amassed several trunk keys and haven't had a chance yet to find a mate for this lock.

I bought this little trunk in Sacramento on February 23, 1995.  I paid $100 for it.  It was a total bucket of rust with lots of rusty metal and missing slats..

The trunk still had the original tray and edges of the trunk metal showed the original brown color of the exterior metal.

End of the trunk.. missing leather handles, end caps (original).  Slats were missing (on one end and on the back).  Rusted and loose metal EVERYWHERE!

The little doll trunk is now in a state of preservation.  Painted and cleaned up.  Trunk Lock made by Worcester Metal Goods Company ca 1915 - 1917

I replaced the leather handles, fabricated a new slat and repaired the loose metal.

I was pleased with the new slat on the back.  I have decided not to disturb the interior of this trunk until I can find a way to reproduce the original paper lining.  The little trunk goes to my trunk museum!