Trunk

I can't give an exact age or manufacturer name, but I can mention that your trunk is one of many thousands made and used for typical travel and voyages undertaken by the many immigrants and other peoples of the 1800's. I might intelligently guess that, by the size, style, and wallpaper lining inside, that it dates from the late 1850's up through the late 1890's, but certainly no later than 1910. The bowed, wood and metal clasped top was to reinforce the stability and security of the valuables within. It discouraged other, heavier trunks being stacked on top, and therefore the possibility of things being crushed or damaged. When traveling in the 1800's by boat, the travel trunks were treated with even less care than our own luggage on airlines today. The cargo holds were small and packed so full that a person couldn't walk through, but rather had to climb over. Many times, the cargo holds were only accessable for unloading from a top hatch on the deck of the vessel. The smaller, bowed-top trunk design such as yours increased the probability that it might be packed in last, and therefore, unloaded first. An important strategy to the thrifty immigrant wanting to debark quickly and get through the process of checking through customs in a timely manner. An additional detail which was typical for your type of trunk, but which seems to be missing, is that the top inner tray had either a single or a multiple lid that sometimes locked in front or was tied up with straps attached to the sides, similar to our modern luggage which has inner straps to hold such braced items securely. Of course there were many varrities of these trunks being made, all with some varying differences in features and quality, and all at varying prices. As this was once a very common object which everyone used or had, it was also very disposable, and as such, many have passed on to be disposed of, leaving a far lesser number now still existing. I live in the midwest and see these trunks quite frequently priced generally between $40. and $300., depending on size, condition, and detail. You have a fun piece of travel history, that if it could talk, might possibly tell the most amazing stories you've ever heard!