Pre Civil War Trunk

I looked at it closer and there is leather under the handles, so it looks like it was covered in leather

 

Type of nails may reveal something too.

 

Old leather bound trunks are often referred to as stagecoach trunks whether they ever saw a stagecoach or not. They tend to be smaller than the later steamer trunks.

 

More of a chest than a trunk. Meant to fit under a bed, something that way?

 

OK, I looked a little closer at the newspaper and it is a June 8, 1839 edition of the Saturday Evening Visiter and Galaxy of Western Literature and Science. This is a paper that, according to my Google search was only around from 1838 to 1839. This paper looks to be genuine as I can see the texture of the pulp press and this is an odd paper to do a reproduction of IMHO....one of my pictures on the original post show close up of paper texture. I don’t see trunks/chests having much value, does the paper do anything to enhance value?

 

Close up of Paper by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Inside by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

HInge by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Latch by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

Top by Metwerks posted Jan 22, 2018 at 2:35 PM

 

Well it's shot now by being attached to the trunk but that may be better for the trunk's value.
I'd guess it may enhance the value in the Pittsburgh area.
I've preferred trunks with something attached inside.

 

The size of your chest almost sounds like it would fit under the stagecoach driver's seat up front, however they stopped being used by around 1918, so probably not from that.....nice thought though!! It's interesting, but can't pin it down....as others said...research the lock might prove most helpful!!

 

I have very old box stored away that is black painted or black leather covered (can't recall) and has railroad lettering on it. Someone, 30+ years ago, chucked it into a dumpster next to my shop!

 

So, you're USING it, aren't you!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

 

Me???

 

I messed up the paper is June 8, 1839!!!

 

HA!!!!!!! WELL THEN..........Even BETTER!!!!!! COULD be from under the driver's seat, if paper is original!!!!!!! NICE!!!

 

So a stage coach seat chest? that would be cool

 

Maybe but probably not for valuables I'd think.