Featured Vintage McBrine Steamer Wardrobe Trunk

It’s been a couple years since I moved into my loft space, and I’ve created a nice atmosphere of modern meets antique & vintage, my personal heaven.

There is an antique/thrift place across the alley from where I live (almost too convenient lol).

The first thing I purchased there was this vintage McBrine trunk, it was right in front of me as soon as I walked in the door. There was this gentleman looking at it, so I asked him what he knew about it.

He had estimated that it was around 1940 vintage.
I have looked online & have found very similar models from around that era, so I assume that’s correct.

Obviously I was the one who ended up buying it, I got it for $45, not bad. I have not restored it, I plan on leaving it the way I bought it.

 

I'm in full agreement with you on not restoring - it is 'perfect' as found and a pleasure to see!

 

I think it is contemporary with the date on the Cunard label. While the interior is much more elaborate, the exterior is very close to that of the footlockers I took to college a few years after that.

 

Yes, I agree @wiscbirddog it’s great just the way it is, there’s a bit of character there.

 

Thank You @Bronwen

 

Looks as though the Pounds took the Franconia from Southampton to Winnipeg & never traveled again. Having the Cunard labels is the really cool part.

 

I love the Cunard Label, that was one of the features that convinced me to buy it, that and I do like the design. I would love to be able to find out the circumstances of that voyage for certain.

 

Have to wonder if they emigrated.

 

I would say that would be most likely, I had looked up The Franconia shortly after I bought the trunk and the ship did play a part in emigration at one time, the years escape me at the moment

 

Many thanks again @Bronwen for your input & advice on the trunk.

It appears there were three R.M.S. Franconia’s built (1910, 1922, 1963). Coinciding with the Cunard travel label on my trunk, the Pounds most likely came to Canada on the ship built in 1963. If I learn more history I will certainly share it, again many thanks! Got my research cap on now.

 

Don't forget to search this site for other inquiries on steamer trunks; there have been a number.

 

Good idea, Thank You @Bronwen

 

Winnipeg Free Press

F. C. POUND LTD. FLORISTS 1012 Mulvey Avc. Phone 4-6407 42-2361
Tuesday, February 8, 1955, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

POUND LTD. FLORISTS 1012 MULVIY AVI. GL 3-3707
Tuesday, November 15, 1960, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada

POUND LTD. WINNIPEG'S ONLY DRIVE-IN FLORIST Greenhouses and store 1012 Mul- vey Ave., between Wilton and Guelp...Winnipeg Free Press (Newspaper) - December 29, 1960, Winnipeg, Manitoba

POUND LTD. 1012 MULVEY AVE. Between Wilton and Guelph St. WE ARE GROWERS Established Since 1911 Invite You To ...
Saturday, April 6, 1963, Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada


I did not try to find every last mention. The drive-in concept must have been successful. (And I cannot get this to stop being so bold!)

 

Wow @Bronwen That’s fascinating, I hadn’t gone into researching the name, had been slowed up by a friend calling. I’m certainly glad to see there is a good history/ending to the story. Thank You very much for that info, and taking the time to look it up. Did I mention Antiquers is a great forum! It sort of appears this may have been a holiday departure from South Hampton as the flower shop pre-dates the travel date on the trunk.

 

The trip was a few years after ads for being the only drive-in florist (what does that even mean?)started appearing; hence my surmise that Pound was making a success of it. Est. 1911; possible father & son and both F.C. Don't know if any of our geneo-hounds will take this up. They find amazing stuff.

 

Assuming the family was all born in Canada, there are limited resources after about 1930 on Ancestry. Part of the limitation is the same kind of limit the US government has about when census records can be accessed by the public. US Limit is 72 years following the census date (so we can currently see 1940 but no later.) I'm not sure what the Canadian rule is, but last I looked the most recent census available for Canada was 1921.

 

Hi @Bakersgma @Bronwen Yeah, I got stuck on info of the actual people too, release the “geneo-hounds”. All I could get from looking as well at newspaper archives were business adverts....I will keep looking & digging though.

 

You actually get more of a feel for them from the ads than I think you would from simple birth/death/marriage records. You might look for an obituary. But drive-in florist, free rose to every lady...

 

The Drive-in Florist thing makes me think they were the McDonalds of the florist industry lol Absolutely no disrespect intended towards the Pound family of course. I’m certain they were a well respected business & family.

 

No, the quarter-pounder did that. Is quarter pounder related to penny pincher? Just a (silly) thought.