Yesterday, I was presented with a very interesting opportunity. Upon helping my best friend Devon out with a chore at her grandmothers, I acquired a new and very personally-valued object. Our task was to go into her grandmother's basement and sort through old books so she could make some donations to her church. The books were stored in two giant trunks.
Oh, man. Did I ever love those trunks. Looked like something straight out of 1910, England. Or Harry Potter, for you young 'uns :) One was larger than the other, with brass rivets and heavy buckles closing it shut. The hard brown leather covering the outside had capped corners (also done in brass) and was covered in stickers from places all over the world, though faded and peeling. Lots of history behind it. Inside were drawers and compartments, and even a pull-out shirt rack. I loved it immediately.
The second trunk was smaller (though still almost too heavy for me to carry around) and had no drawers or compartments inside. Just one big open space. It had wooden ribs on the outside, which at one time were probably quite beautiful, along with brass capped corners and edges to protect the hardened tweed surface. Inside was a plaid wallpaper, used as a lining, and plenty of MOLD. Yum.
Anyway, we sorted all of the books out, and surprise! Her grandmother told us we could keep the trunks for ourselves. I loved the larger of the two, with the stickers and compartments, and Devon loved the smaller one, considering she'd been looking for a Hope chest for a long time (and figured this'd serve as a perfect one for herself.)
Needless to say, despite our preferences, I was stuck with the smaller of the two because her parents valued the bigger one more (as it was once her grandfather's, who is now deceased. The smaller was her great-grandmother's, and slightly less valued for some reason.) But, I still saw the potential in the smaller one, and still loved it. I began stripping the inside that very day, and discovered the wood underneath of the paper is like new. With a little love and attention, this trunk is going to be one gorgeous addition to my house! :D
Not to mention I'd love to take it on a train trip across Europe with me someday.
-- Pictures coming soon! As the progress of fixin' 'er up come along :)
-Bee
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ooh, I'd love to see pics. I love old trunks...lucky you!
ReplyDeleteWhat a great treasure! So wonderful that she let you have the trunk!
ReplyDeleteThis reminds me of seeing some of my mother's old suitcases covered with the travel stickers that she got when she traveled with friends before she got married.
Looking forward to seeing photos of the trunk!