Antique Immigrant Trunk, Pressed Tin

Many years ago, there was an estate auction at the home of a little old lady who attended our church. My husband and I bid on this trunk and got it for $15.00. It's made of metal, wood, and pressed tin. I've always thought it was pretty. These days it sits at the foot of our bed.

Label on the inside of the lid

April 26, 1902

I never understand why people sell stuff like this, but I suppose at the time it just didn't mean anything to her, or because she was breaking up housekeeping, she was eager to get rid of extra stuff. I've never had that problem. Unfortunately. (Although I threw away my collection of Stax potato chip containers. Those beautiful bright blue and yellow containers look like they should useful for something! I know, this is how hoarding begins, and I don't have them anymore. But it was tough. I like containers. They're the better part of many products.)

It's got interesting hardware and leather handles

including this decorative metal button

and joiner hardware

The color on the tin is original. We've done nothing to 'destroy the patina,'

I've learned something from 'Antiques Roadshow!'

 

I suspect this trunk came from 'the old country,' most likely owned by a Scandinavian immigrant, like that woman's parents.

Maybe we need to look at our belongings with an eye to the future, not just whether or not they're getting in our way. You never know what the family might think is special. I threw away a little red metal shelf because I had absolutely no use for it any longer and considered it a piece of junk. A while later, our daughter asked me about it and was quite horrified that I had pitched it. It's become a joke between us now.

Are you going to keep special things that will be passed on to your children and grandchildren? Or are you the type that gets rid of it if you're no longer using it?


P.S. Can you think of a use for those Stax containers?

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Although I usually forget to do it, there is an outside chance that this post will be linked to one or more of the following:  Mosaic Monday and The Marketplace  and Market Yourself Monday and Make it Pretty Monday and  Making the World Cuter Mondays and You're Gonna Love it Tuesday and Treasure Box Tuesday  and  Knick of Time Tuesday (vintage)  and   Tweak it Tuesday and  Coastal Charm Tuesday  and What we Accomplished Wednesday and  Adorned From Above  and Rurality Blog Hop and  All Things With Purpose and Home & Garden Thursday and It's a Party at Creative Princess and Artsy Corner Thursday and Time Travel Thursday and Thrifty Things Friday  and  Friday Fences and Weekend Reflections and  Freedom Fridays and From the Farm and   Anything Blue Friday and Junkin' Joe and  Serenity Saturday and Vintage Inspiration Friday and Photo Friday and The Charm of Home and  Share Your Creativity and A Favorite Thing Saturday and Weekly Top Shot and Sunny Simple Sunday and Sunlit Sunday