Historical information

Trunk is made strong for long journeys and rough use. Tray compartments would have been fitted inside the lid for storage of smaller items such as hats, umbrellas and underclothing. The illustration pasted inside the lid is similar to those shown in women's fashion journals of the 1880s and 1890s.

A similar trunk was found in the catalogue of Anthony Hordern & Sons, a large and famous late 19th to mid 20th century retailer in Sydney,.

Significance

This trunk is an example of the typical travel luggage of people migrating to the Colony of Australia in the late 19th century.

Physical description

Wooden cabin trunk, rectangular, brown in colour. Lid has arched top, front has a strong padlock, sides have leather strap handles. Corners and edges are reinforced with iron, iron bands and extra wooden slats. Lid is divided into tray compartments. A print of a female in 19th century costume is attached to the inside the lid in one compartment.