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<p>[QUOTE=&quot;Pellidude, post: 12997949, member: 112959&quot;]I’m researching an unidentified antique flat-top trunk and would appreciate any help identifying the maker, approximate date, or comparable surviving examples.</p><p>At the moment, Multnomah Trunk &amp; Bag Co. of Portland, Oregon is a leading working hypothesis, but it is not a confirmed identification. I’m trying to keep the evidence separate from the theories and would welcome corrections.</p><p>Some of the details we have so far:</p><p>Eagle Lock Company hardware</p><p>Approximately 36-inch trunk body</p><p>Two removable interior trays</p><p>Upper tray measures about 34 5/8&quot; wide × 18–18 1/4&quot; deep × 6&quot; high</p><p>Printed woven textile/fabric lining</p><p>Heavy metal exterior cladding/reinforcement</p><p>Decorative brass-toned hardware</p><p>Exposed interior edges showing wood/substrate and original fasteners</p><p>Some exposed construction may suggest laminated or three-ply wood, although I do not consider that confirmed yet</p><p>One reason Multnomah has become especially interesting is that a documented surviving Multnomah trunk has an upper tray measuring approximately 34 1/2&quot; × 18&quot; × 6&quot;, nearly identical to this one. That trunk also uses Eagle hardware. I realize those similarities could reflect common industry sizes or suppliers, so I am not treating them as proof.</p><p>I’m also researching the history of Multnomah Trunk &amp; Bag Co. itself. Period evidence now indicates that Samuel E. Wrenn started the Multnomah Box Factory in Portland in 1885, with later reorganizations and trunk-related companies appearing afterward. I’m especially interested in understanding how the earlier box business developed into or became connected with the later trunk company.</p><p>I would especially like to hear from anyone who has:</p><p>A marked Multnomah trunk</p><p>Multnomah catalogs or advertisements</p><p>Maker labels, stamps, or interior hardware marked M.T.&amp;B. Co.</p><p>Similar Eagle locks or latches</p><p>Comparable tray measurements</p><p>Examples of three-ply or laminated trunk construction</p><p>Information about early Portland trunk manufacturers</p><p>If you own a comparable trunk, photographs of the maker marks, locks, latches, tray undersides, lining, handles, lid stays, and exposed construction edges would be extremely helpful.</p><p>Full photo album</p><p><a href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/KNjyHo7s9ogDPEa18⁠�" target="_blank" class="externalLink ProxyLink" data-proxy-href="https://photos.app.goo.gl/KNjyHo7s9ogDPEa18⁠�" rel="nofollow">https://photos.app.goo.gl/KNjyHo7s9ogDPEa18⁠�</a></p><p>The album contains many additional detailed photographs of the hardware, lining, trays, exterior, and exposed construction areas.</p><p>I’m happy to take additional photographs or measurements if anyone sees something that deserves a closer look.</p><p>Thank you for any help, comparisons, corrections, or leads. My goal is to document this carefully and hopefully make the research useful to other trunk owners as well.[/QUOTE]</p><p><br /></p>

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