{"id":19486,"date":"2021-05-19T11:09:47","date_gmt":"2021-05-19T15:09:47","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/amishhandcrafted.com\/?p=19486"},"modified":"2021-05-21T08:38:47","modified_gmt":"2021-05-21T12:38:47","slug":"what-is-a-steamer-trunk","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/amishhandcrafted.com\/what-is-a-steamer-trunk\/","title":{"rendered":"Unpacking What is a Steamer Trunk: Its History, Uses, Styles, & Modern Appeal"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Unpacking What is a Steamer Trunk: Its History, Uses, Styles, & Modern Appeal<\/h1>\n\n\n\n
\"what
Photo Credit: www.chairish.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

150 Years Ago, You Probably Would Have Owned One<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"steamer
Photo Credit: aimeevictorianarmorie.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n\n\n

Imagine you were a distinguished gentleman or poised lady from the early 1900s. [Yes, you were likely wearing either a suit and tie or a fur coat and fancy hat. You know back in those kinds of days].<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In preparation for traveling, you carefully selected your finest clothing, your hats, and your other personal belongings.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Where did you store all these important items? In none other than\u2026 a steamer trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steamer trunks are fascinating and stunning pieces of traveling, history-filled boxes.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

In fact, did you know how steamer trunks played an important role in the history of the Titanic? Or do you know which steamer trunk\u2019s manufacturer is still going strong over 150 years later?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Get Ready to Unpack this Historic Trunk!<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Whatever the reason leading you to wonder, \u201cWhat is a steamer trunk?\u201d Get ready to completely unpack this trunk with its following definition, history, fascinating facts, tips for finding keepers, and much more!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Enjoy!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

So, What Exactly is a Steamer Trunk?<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"what's
Photo Credit: www.gjenvick.com<\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Imagine this next scene. With your freshly packed steamer trunk safely stowed away in the back of a Renault Type CB Coupe Deville<\/a>, you head off to the dock to board a ship for your trip across the Atlantic. As you approach the dock, your mouth drops open in awe at the sight of your ticket across the ocean.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The ship you are about to board [along with your steamer trunk] is none other than the majestic, steam-powered Titanic.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"image
Photo Credit: www.businessinsider.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

So, what exactly is a steamer trunk<\/strong>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A steamer trunk is a square or domed shaped storage box used for packing clothing and other personal belongings for travel. The box got coined with the name steamer trunk thanks to its use aboard steam powered ships.  <\/p>\n\n\n\n

Yes, steam powered ships like the Titanic, RMS Carpathia, RMS Queen Elizabeth, and SS Bremen. However, the first steamer trunks<\/a> were more likely to be aboard the 1870 RMS Oceanic<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\"amish
Photo Credit: www.regentantiques.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

These first steamer trunks were probably no larger than 14 inches tall due to luggage regulations aboard the steam ships. So unfortunately, in the early days of the steamer trunk, unless you were wealthy, most people were limited to packing one or two clothing sets and any other important items that could fit inside the small box.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Often people were migrating across the country or to America and that was all they could bring along.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

However, these steamer trunks grew over time and became more intricate and much larger in size and storage capability.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now back to your imagination<\/strong>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It is likely that the steamer trunk you used to pack your clothing and personal belongings, was 2 or 3 times the size with small compartments and drawers for luxury items such as jewelry or watches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Now let\u2019s dig a little deeper into fascinating history of the steamer trunk.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

A Brief, Yet Intriguing History of this \u201cCabin Trunk\u201d<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
\"image
Photo Credit: www.flickr.com<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

Trunks may be well over a thousand years old. However, steamer<\/strong> trunks took over the luggage scene around the late 19th<\/sup> century (1870s). Only about 150 years ago.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

It was around this time that traveling exploded as railroads and steam-powered boats provided easier and more affordable options for travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Steamer trunks popularity lasted for about 55 years until finally losing the luggage spotlight in the early 20th<\/sup> century (1920s). Yeah, modern luggage, otherwise known as the suitcase, became a lighter traveling companion.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

The first manufactures of these cabin trunks [a nickname earned from traveling on boats\ud83d\ude0a] crafted these boxes out of wood, such as pine. Some steamer trunks could weigh up to 100 pounds alone!<\/p>\n\n\n\n

They were often covered with animal hide, plain or decorative tin<\/a>, paper, canvas, and held together with a variety of hardware or wood slats.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

These Traveling Trunks Kept Moving \u201cFull Steam Ahead!\u201d<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
\"louis
Photo Credit: frenchantiques.co.nz<\/a><\/figcaption><\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n

From such humble beginnings, these trunks continued \u201cfull steam ahead\u201d until they were crafted with more than just wood and paper, but expensive cloth materials, leathers, aluminum, and fancy hardware.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Do you recognize the name or brand, Louis Vuitton<\/a>?<\/p>\n\n\n\n

He was one among many steamer trunk manufactures spread across Europe and America back in the late 18th<\/sup> century. However, Louis Vuitton remains one of the few original manufactures still going strong today. Among others still in business today are Seward Trunk, Rhino Trunk & Case, and C & C Footlockers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Check out the super fascinating and short history of this luxury Louis Vuitton brand of steamer trunks. Plus, in the process learn more about the use and history of steamer trunks and their progression with the technological advancements of travel.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\n