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| Antique Trunk Information, History, & FAQ's |
There are an extraordinary range of trunks, with nearly as many books and other guides attempting to help categorize
and identify the spectrum of age and shape, but only one or two complimentary web-pages that allow people to view
the various styles, patterns, and so forth in a single area, and even then they are never complete and very rarely
updated.
So the Oakmeadow Group has decided to start upon a larger project of providing a complimentary section
showcasing restored examples of each style, pattern, (metal or otherwise) tray system, and so forth. This section will
be continually updated with examples from our own collections and restorations only - for legal purposes - so over the
next few years should grow to encompass many items you've seen and many you haven't.
You may access this section through the navigational panel to the left.
If you do wish to contribute to our imagery on the subject, please utilize our Restoration Services or - better yet -
purchase one of our Trunks on Offer so that we may continue our efforts.
and identify the spectrum of age and shape, but only one or two complimentary web-pages that allow people to view
the various styles, patterns, and so forth in a single area, and even then they are never complete and very rarely
updated.
So the Oakmeadow Group has decided to start upon a larger project of providing a complimentary section
showcasing restored examples of each style, pattern, (metal or otherwise) tray system, and so forth. This section will
be continually updated with examples from our own collections and restorations only - for legal purposes - so over the
next few years should grow to encompass many items you've seen and many you haven't.
You may access this section through the navigational panel to the left.
If you do wish to contribute to our imagery on the subject, please utilize our Restoration Services or - better yet -
purchase one of our Trunks on Offer so that we may continue our efforts.
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| All text, images, and designs are the sole property and copyright of the Oakmeadow Group and may not be used without written permission. |
Other Frequently Asked Questions:
Why are some of the trunks listed on your site as "Not Currently Available?"
There are several reasons actually. A big one is so we won't have to email you a ton of pictures when you want us to
do a custom trunk for you and we're discussing options. Also some are ones we aren't quite ready to sell yet, and (in a
few cases) we might just want to show off!
But I love one of those "Not Currently Available for Sales"! Can I buy it?
If it is listed as that then it means we do have it. If you really want one we will entertain reasonable offers on any or all
of them (just drop us an email) or you can cross your fingers and hope we list it tomorrow!
What about your other trunks? Will you take offers on them?
If it's sold it's gone. Otherwise I promise that we'll entertain any reasonable offer. (Yes that includes the ones for sale.)
Note - As we've seen literally hundreds of them, it isn't funny to get $1 or $5 or anything else stupid in offers; it's
insensitive and puts me in a bad mood (which makes me less likely to accept any reasonable offer you may offer
later.) Sorry if that's rough, but you aren't having to read my mail!
What are your shipping charges?
All shipping in the Continental United States is included in one price, and shipping to Canada is generally $20 to $30
more, depending on the size of the piece. Anybody else will have to be friendly and drop us a line by hitting the
Contact us button at the bottom of the page.
Why are some of the trunks listed on your site as "Not Currently Available?"
There are several reasons actually. A big one is so we won't have to email you a ton of pictures when you want us to
do a custom trunk for you and we're discussing options. Also some are ones we aren't quite ready to sell yet, and (in a
few cases) we might just want to show off!
But I love one of those "Not Currently Available for Sales"! Can I buy it?
If it is listed as that then it means we do have it. If you really want one we will entertain reasonable offers on any or all
of them (just drop us an email) or you can cross your fingers and hope we list it tomorrow!
What about your other trunks? Will you take offers on them?
If it's sold it's gone. Otherwise I promise that we'll entertain any reasonable offer. (Yes that includes the ones for sale.)
Note - As we've seen literally hundreds of them, it isn't funny to get $1 or $5 or anything else stupid in offers; it's
insensitive and puts me in a bad mood (which makes me less likely to accept any reasonable offer you may offer
later.) Sorry if that's rough, but you aren't having to read my mail!
What are your shipping charges?
All shipping in the Continental United States is included in one price, and shipping to Canada is generally $20 to $30
more, depending on the size of the piece. Anybody else will have to be friendly and drop us a line by hitting the
Contact us button at the bottom of the page.
The leather handles are broken on my trunk - where can I find replacements and how do I put them on?
We don't supply trunk parts (yet), so check out our links - just remember to measure the full length of the handles and
find the right size, which may mean looking at several sites (everyone's a little different.) Most of the parts sites also
tell you how to put the handles on too!.
How can I replicate that look?
Unfortunately, out of respect for our exclusive designers and trade secrets, we are unable to answer any questions on
our designing or the unique ways we apply it.
Is polyurethane the devil?
This was an actual question asked. At any rate, polyurethane isn't the devil and nor is it close to being such. There are
a lot of restorers who have been conducting their own uninformed version of "Holy Wars" against polyurethane
because it's different from what they do or they buy into myths. Does this mean that it is better? Absolutely not - it
means it is different. (A fuller account of this discussion is contained in the Restoration Techniques section.)
Do you manufacture your own Trunks?
No, we restore or revitalize existing examples, which has the added benefit of meaning that there's a 99% chance
there aren't any others exactly like yours in existence.
We don't supply trunk parts (yet), so check out our links - just remember to measure the full length of the handles and
find the right size, which may mean looking at several sites (everyone's a little different.) Most of the parts sites also
tell you how to put the handles on too!.
How can I replicate that look?
Unfortunately, out of respect for our exclusive designers and trade secrets, we are unable to answer any questions on
our designing or the unique ways we apply it.
Is polyurethane the devil?
This was an actual question asked. At any rate, polyurethane isn't the devil and nor is it close to being such. There are
a lot of restorers who have been conducting their own uninformed version of "Holy Wars" against polyurethane
because it's different from what they do or they buy into myths. Does this mean that it is better? Absolutely not - it
means it is different. (A fuller account of this discussion is contained in the Restoration Techniques section.)
Do you manufacture your own Trunks?
No, we restore or revitalize existing examples, which has the added benefit of meaning that there's a 99% chance
there aren't any others exactly like yours in existence.
How old is my trunk?
No idea, haven't seen it yet... Actually I'll go against what everyone else is saying and point out that we give a range of
anywhere from 5 to 40 years oftentimes as it's insanely hard to figure out. Why? Because almost nobody kept records
at the time, and so you have to work mostly from dated labels and advertisements. We've done an enormous amount
of research, so can normally get it right, even though our estimates will always clash with what someone else will say.
In the end, the fact that you must keep in mind is that nobody really knows - and that if someone says they do it is
incredibly rare that they have the documents to back it up.
Can you tell me the exact history of my trunk?
Yep, your trunk was made on July 8th, 1881 - in fact that was the only day that any trunk was ever made and they were
all originally painted royal purple and flare orange which were the national colors at that time...
Sorry - see question above, and let me again emphasize that there are little or no records from the time, so best we
can normally do without labels/etc is an educated guess based on hardware, patterning, type of wood, design/etc.
Is my trunk worth anything?
It totally depends on the style, age and condition - not to mention personal taste and/or heirloom value (which makes it
priceless.) Because of the time it takes dissecting all of the pictures for information, (and a lot of people taking
advantage & taking what we say out of context) we now generally charge a flat $20 fee for any online valuation (in
other words if the trunk isn't sitting in front of us) unless we're buying for ourselves - including if you're 'looking to have
it restored.! For more information see the Custom Value & Info for Your Trunk page above and to the left.
Will you buy my trunk?
Maybe - check out our Sell Your Trunk/Trunk Parts page to the left there.
No idea, haven't seen it yet... Actually I'll go against what everyone else is saying and point out that we give a range of
anywhere from 5 to 40 years oftentimes as it's insanely hard to figure out. Why? Because almost nobody kept records
at the time, and so you have to work mostly from dated labels and advertisements. We've done an enormous amount
of research, so can normally get it right, even though our estimates will always clash with what someone else will say.
In the end, the fact that you must keep in mind is that nobody really knows - and that if someone says they do it is
incredibly rare that they have the documents to back it up.
Can you tell me the exact history of my trunk?
Yep, your trunk was made on July 8th, 1881 - in fact that was the only day that any trunk was ever made and they were
all originally painted royal purple and flare orange which were the national colors at that time...
Sorry - see question above, and let me again emphasize that there are little or no records from the time, so best we
can normally do without labels/etc is an educated guess based on hardware, patterning, type of wood, design/etc.
Is my trunk worth anything?
It totally depends on the style, age and condition - not to mention personal taste and/or heirloom value (which makes it
priceless.) Because of the time it takes dissecting all of the pictures for information, (and a lot of people taking
advantage & taking what we say out of context) we now generally charge a flat $20 fee for any online valuation (in
other words if the trunk isn't sitting in front of us) unless we're buying for ourselves - including if you're 'looking to have
it restored.! For more information see the Custom Value & Info for Your Trunk page above and to the left.
Will you buy my trunk?
Maybe - check out our Sell Your Trunk/Trunk Parts page to the left there.
Why do these old things cost so much?
In a word - time. It takes time to find good trunks, make repairs, design a custom scheme, find fabrics or wallpapers
and so forth, and then even more time to implement all of it.
So do you charge by the hour?
Ha ha ha! (snort) ha ha!
Sorry - no we don't; if we did you wouldn't be interested in any of our trunks, trust me... (Due to our love - and insanity -
we're in the 120-hour range per restoration!!!)
I have a restored trunk that got damaged, can you repair it?
Usually yes. Of course matching paint colors, fabrics, wallpaper, and so forth can be problematic, but drop us an
email and we'll try and help.
I have a trunk can you restore it?
Absolutely. Check out our Restoration Services.
Can you teach me how to restore my trunk?
Sure. Just takes awhile and has to be done in person. Drop us an email if you're interested. (Never have a problem
with someone else doing the work and saving some bucks.)
In a word - time. It takes time to find good trunks, make repairs, design a custom scheme, find fabrics or wallpapers
and so forth, and then even more time to implement all of it.
So do you charge by the hour?
Ha ha ha! (snort) ha ha!
Sorry - no we don't; if we did you wouldn't be interested in any of our trunks, trust me... (Due to our love - and insanity -
we're in the 120-hour range per restoration!!!)
I have a restored trunk that got damaged, can you repair it?
Usually yes. Of course matching paint colors, fabrics, wallpaper, and so forth can be problematic, but drop us an
email and we'll try and help.
I have a trunk can you restore it?
Absolutely. Check out our Restoration Services.
Can you teach me how to restore my trunk?
Sure. Just takes awhile and has to be done in person. Drop us an email if you're interested. (Never have a problem
with someone else doing the work and saving some bucks.)
Why don't you guys write a book?
Actually we're working on one right now. So if you have any suggestions as to the content or any particular questions
you'd like answered, just let us know!
When will the book be out?
Right now we're looking at a Summer 2010 date, but who knows? If we get enough questions/such then we may get
all excited and get it out early!
Actually we're working on one right now. So if you have any suggestions as to the content or any particular questions
you'd like answered, just let us know!
When will the book be out?
Right now we're looking at a Summer 2010 date, but who knows? If we get enough questions/such then we may get
all excited and get it out early!