Antique Victorian Rexine Domed Travelling Trunk Coach Luggage Chest Locking 1888

Antique Black Rexine Coach Trunk .

A very rare trunk, ideal as a blanket box.

This late Victorian travelling trunk, circa 1885, is a wonderfully evocative survival from the era of coaching and early railway travel. Designed with a traditional domed top to allow rainwater to run off during transit on the exterior racks of a stagecoach or carriage, the trunk is clad in its original black Rexine or heavy oilcloth protective covering. It retains its authentic iron carrying handles to the sides and stands on its original wooden runners. A particularly fascinating element of its social history lies in its construction; the trunk was built utilising recycled timber, a common practice among provincial craftsmen of the period, with the underside clearly displaying an original stencilled mercantile stamp from its previous life as a commercial sugar crate. The interior offers a spectacular window into the late 19th century, remaining completely lined with its original, untouched English newspapers. Among the readable fragments is a clearly legible date from The Sunday Chronicle on October 7th, 1888, alongside charming period advertisements for "Beecham's Pills," "Smith's Patent Germ Bread," and local Birmingham businesses. This provides definitive proof of the trunk's late 1880s origin and preserves a delightful capsule of Victorian domestic life. The trunk is secured by its original working iron warded lock, which comes complete with its original key.

Condition Report This piece is in exceptional, entirely original country-house condition, having been gently cleaned and waxed to preserve its genuine character and patina. The exterior covering shows the honest scuffs, minor abrasions, and crinkles consistent with historic travel, all of which contribute enormously to its authentic look. The internal newspaper lining is remarkably well-preserved for its age, remaining clean and stable with only minor expected age-toning and localised wear where the lid rests. The lock and key are in full working order, and the structural integrity of the timber frame remains excellent.

Dimensions

Height: 460mm

Width: 430mm

Length (not including handles): 585mm

Delivery

*Insured courier normally around £60 for this item - Enquire for accurate quote*

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