1800s steamer trunk
This is an 1800s steamer trunk (we think) made by the SH&R Company. Dome top, pressed metal, with wooden slats on the front and leather handles. Slats on front run vertical and slats on back run horizontal there are two hinges in the back that look to be newer (but we think whoever did it did a good job. We added a photo). Inside wood has shelves/compartments that are in poor condition with old "decals"/some minor water damage. There's some staining (but appears to come off) on the metal areas around the wood and there's a very small puncture/hole in the metal in the back of the trunk.
We bought this in a second hand store in Cincinnati, Ohio
Other
Maybe
Good morning, Nikki,
Thank you for getting back to me with the dimensions - goodness, it IS a big one! In my experience, bigger doesn't always mean more valuable...Yes, you are right to be cautious to scrape as I think that likely would damage the metal, possibly devaluing it. Wiping it down with a slightly damp cloth is sufficient.
Steamer trunks by Louis Vuitton and Goyard - and perhaps a few of the other very high end luggage manufacturers - can fetch considerable sums at auctions (hundreds, even thousands of dollars) but the vast majority of steamer trunks bring rather more modest sums, particularly if they have extensive wear and use as yours does.
I had not found anything on SHR & Co. so its great that you know it was in Columbus. I can not find any similar trunks by that company to have come up for auction recently (or even farther back) but here are a few comparable trunks by other companies that have sold to give you an idea of the current market.
($140) https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/antique-dome-top-saratoga-steamer-trunk-america-cfb424c99c
($50) https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/embossed-tin-and-wood-dome-top-steamer-trunk-19th-68142848f0
($393 converted) https://www.invaluable.com/auction-lot/large-antique-domed-top-french-steamer-trunk-app-3fd4407af4
Based on the photographs and information provided, and subject to examination, you have:
A large American embossed metal and wood dome-top steamer trunk
bears label / made by S.H.R. & Co., Columbus Ohio, probably late 19th century
with papered interior
36 inches high, 48 inches wide, 24 inches deep
PROVENANCE: acquired at a second-hand store in Cincinnati, Ohio
$150-250 (represents a fair market value for auction purposes; retail or asking price may vary).
Please let us know if you have additional items to appraise, and thank you for using Mearto.
It's about: Height: 36 Inches; Width: 48 Inches; Depth: 24 Inches
(It's pretty big).
No mildew but faded in parts and worn. The metal/tin needs to be cleaned. I can scrape it easily to reveal bright metal it seems but I hesitate because I don't want to scratch the material. A little water staining in the interior. It looks to be made by a company from Columbus, OH which would make sense being in Cincinnati.