Images(6)

Trunk, Hair

Date1807-1815

OriginAmerica, Maryland, Baltimore

MediumTulip poplar or cypress, paper, cowhide, leather, brass, and iron

DimensionsOH: 9 1/2"; OL: 20"; OW: 12"

Credit LineMuseum Purchase

Object number1953-833

DescriptionSmall trunk: rectangular trunk with hinged flat lid; cowhide covering with hair side out; reinforcing strips of leather (replaced) with brass headed studs on corners and in 2 bands over top and front; iron lock plate on front center of trunk with leather strap (replacing iron hasp) descending from lid; angular iron bail handles joined with cotter pins centered on each side of trunk, leather apron (replaced) nailed with brass nails around front and sides of lid edge. The interior with chamfered dust shield, leather hinges (added) nailed inside lid and case, and leather straps (replaced) nailed to sides of lid and case is lined with light blue paper over which has been pasted 19th century newspaper. Makers' label of William and Richard Hall of Baltimore, Maryland inside lid, also partially covered with newspaper residue. Newpapers are AMERICAN FARMER (Baltimore, Oct. 24, 1823), p.241 and THE TIFFIN GAZETTE (Tiffin, Senaca Co., Ohio, Josiah F. Reid, ed., 1836). Two battens nailed to underside of bottom across front and rear.Label TextLeather and hair trunks and smaller trunks and boxes can be difficult to date unless they retain a maker's label or have dated papers lining the interior. Trunks were useful for traveling as well as for storing items within a home. Due to the label inside the trunk of brothers William and Richard M. Hall, saddlers and harnessmakers, we know that the label on this trunk was printed between 1807 and 1810 when the firm was located at 125 Market Street in Baltimore. However, a hand written inscription on the label indicates that the firm had "Removed to No 8 Calvert Street," a relocation that occured by 1813. The inscription suggests either that the earlier printed Market St. label continued to be used after the move to Calvert Street, or that the trunk was made and labeled before the move but not sold until after the move, around 1813. The brothers disolved their partnership in 1820. Later newspapers from the 1820s and 1830s lined the interior of the trunk over top of the original blue paper lining.

Thomas Jefferson frequented Polkinhorn & Hall in Georgetown (Washington, DC) between November 28, 1804 and March 12, 1805 for various luggage repairs and saddle parts. Henry Polinkhorn brought his nephews, William and Richard Hall, into his business in 1803 in Georgetown and Baltimore.Inscription(s)"Removd to [N]o 8 Calvert St[r]eet" written in ink on paper label just below printed address and above "BALTIMORE."Mark(s)Printed paper label inside lid over blue paper: "W[m &] Rich[ard] Hall/ Sadlers, Harness, Army accoutrements &/ TRUNK MAKERS/ 125 Market Street/ BALTIMORE./ Have always on hand a Supply of Portmanteau Trunks,/ Also Brass mounted [&] common Ditto of every description,/ and a general assortment of Sadells, Harness, &c./ [NB?]..Trunks made of every [illegible]" Interior lined with blue paper over which has been pasted newspapers including: AMERICAN FARMER (Baltimore, Oct. 24 ,1823), p 241. THE TIFFIN GAZETTE (Tiffin, Ohio), Josiah F. Reid , ed.1836 (exact date is unknown, but the latest dates mentioned were January 26 and February 3, 1836 in advertisements.) ProvenanceDescended in the family of Mordecai Gist (1746-1839) and Joshua Gist (1743-1792) of Maryland. Mordecai Gist was a Captain and later Brigadier General of Maryland line in the American Revolution; resident of Baltimore before the Revolution and South Carolina after the Revolution. Chairs 1953-567, 1-6, forks and knives 1953-834, 1-6 and 1953-835, 1-6 descended in the same family.