paloma91
|
posted on December 20, 2003 04:24:48 AM new
Does anyone know of any sites that may help me research a steamer trunk: age, value, parts if needed etc.
I swore I would never sell anything bigger on ebay than I could carry in one hand. Well, financially I NEED TO do more than that. SOOOO . . .
Any ideas are greatly appreciated
|
Libra63
|
posted on December 20, 2003 07:23:57 AM new
Does it have a name on it? There are many kinds of steamer trunks. Older ones are wood with either a flat top or a hump top. I know the flat top ones are now used for coffee tables. Refinished they are beautiful. The wealthy people had hump back ones and the reason is, that nothing could be placed on top of them so they couldn't be destroyed. Next I think was the kind that looked like a dresser when you opened it with drawers on one side and a place to hang clothes on the other approximately 4 ft. high. What kind do you have?
|
Libra63
|
posted on December 20, 2003 07:31:20 AM new
Did you check ebay. there are 63 active steamer trunk auctions and approximately 200 completed auctions. Good place to start. I would put the URL but it is so long it would make this thread rather large. This should help.
|
paloma91
|
posted on December 20, 2003 08:51:27 AM new
I have 4 of them. Yep, got 'em all including one WW2 footlocker that belonged to my mom. Not selling that one. Anyway the trunks I have are: One hump back, 2 that open with a tray on the top and the closest one to me that I will be able to get rid of quickly without digging too deep into the pile is one that opens sideways. Libra, I think that's the one you were describing: it has drawers on one side and hanger things on the other and is approx 4 feet tall. I can't find any markings on it so far. 'Course, I just started looking. It's in pretty good shape. Only negative is that there is one place on the outside where someone ripped off a sticker. Other than that, no wear marks, no rust etc.
The last few years it has been stored in a very clean un-ebayed room (giggle)
I have been searching ebay for a few weeks and seen all kinds but this one. HUMMMM
edited out english mumblings
[ edited by paloma91 on Dec 20, 2003 08:56 AM ]
|
pointy
|
posted on December 20, 2003 09:10:08 AM new
I have an old steamer trunk in perfect never used condition. Made by Louis Vuitton for John Astor who went down on the Titanic. This piece was waiting for him back in New York. It's the kind with the drawers. One of my better finds at a yard sale .
|
fenix03
|
posted on December 20, 2003 09:23:15 AM new
Paloma - I used to have one of those myself, somewhere along the line it got left behind. If you look at the existing listings - maker (unless it something like LV) does not seem to be nearly as relevent as condition. Does have original hardware? Does it have the straps, if so what condition are they in? What condition is the interior in? The wood used in them was often thin and over time dried and warped - do they drawers still work? Are they lined and what condition is the liner in? Show lots of pics!
Spell it all out -let potential bidders know this is something special.
Oh yeah - find a shipper before you list!!
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
|
paloma91
|
posted on December 20, 2003 10:02:25 AM new
Pointy, when you said, "I have an old steamer trunk in perfect never used condition. Made by Louis Vuitton for John Astor who went down on the Titanic. This piece was waiting for him back in New York."
Did you mean it was made for him or designed for him? I saw a few of these listed on ebay. Did John Astor have a ship load of these trunks waiting for him back in New York?
HUMMM where's the MFG mark on these? maybe I have one of them too??? Probably not since I am on the west coast.
fenix03, It looks in pretty good condition. Nothing missing or broken. If I can haul it outside inbetween rain storms, I'll get some fotos taken
|
paloma91
|
posted on December 20, 2003 11:11:02 AM new
WHEW that thing was HEAVY !!! I had to drag it out the front door and HUMMMPH lift it on the card table to take the fotos. You know what? The leather strap is still very study. It even has a number on it! I wonder what that was for??? Anyone know. I can't find anything on this company either. Here's the fotos. You think these are ok?
[ edited by paloma91 on Dec 20, 2003 11:13 AM ]
|
fenix03
|
posted on December 20, 2003 11:37:50 AM new
I'm glad you put the picture up. That is a car trunk case. As opposed to the better known pieces that were used more for train travel yours was designed to be able to fit in the trunk of a car or on the trunk as the case may be.
You should get a good price on it - the interior is in wonderul condition from the photos you posted - still having the accesories is a real plus. Definately mention that it a Wardrobe in the title and you might want to invest in a subtitle where you mention that the original interior and accessories are intact.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
|
paloma91
|
posted on December 20, 2003 02:12:47 PM new
REALLY? OH! I finally have something good? (digging through the pile with stuff flying) I wonder what else is in here? (Head popping out of the pile) You know the leather strap has some numbers and letters on it. Is that worth mentioning.
pause
How on earth do I ship this thing if it sells??? Oh more problems
|
fenix03
|
posted on December 20, 2003 04:08:33 PM new
Find a company first. There is a regular seller of trunks on ebay (you can recognize their stuff - all refinished and they paint all of the hardware gold (UCK!). It couldn't hurt to ask them for a recommendation - the worst they can do is ignore you.
~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~ • ~~~
If it's really "common" sense, why do so few people actually have it?
|
paloma91
|
posted on June 2, 2004 10:15:04 PM new
Here's an update: Did the research. Some kindly sellers of steamer trunks gave me the info I needed to ship the darn thing. I tried to lift it again and said NOPE, can't do it. There is no way I am going to be able to pack it up by myself to ship the darn thing if it sells online. Tried the want ads. Nothing, onine want ads- again nothing. On a whim, I put it up for auction with Pick up only and email me with questions. I put the price REALLY low with a reasonable reserve. So far I have had questions from far away lands. I remind them I can't ship. I have 270+ views and 12 watchlists. I sure hope it sells.
thanks again for all of your help
|
sparkz
|
posted on June 2, 2004 10:29:11 PM new
Paloma...I have my fingers crossed for you. If it's listed as local pick up only, and someone in New York buys it and wants it shipped, be sure to tell Jackswebb. At least he'll know the morons aren't targeting him and it'll make him feel better
As a last resort, you can go to an appliance dealer, get a used dishwasher carton and a couple paper pads and box it up and ship it Greyhound or FedEx Ground.
A $75.00 solid state device will always blow first to protect a 25 cent fuse ~ Murphy's Law
|
bob9585
|
posted on June 3, 2004 07:44:31 AM new
Pack it? Why would you pack it? It's luggage. Haul it to the Greyhound Station and let them load it- they do it all day long, every day.
Mention in your listing how it will/can be shipped.
|
