Baggage Claim

Hearkening back to the more glamorous days of travel, antique trunks now make for incredibly stylish organizing. Bon storage!

Object Lesson

Been There, Hauled That: The introduction of steam-powered engines fueled an explosion in leisurely trips during the late 19th to early 20th centuries, heralding the golden age of travel. (Think of the polished wood walls of a quiet train car or the multicourse dinners served aboard the White Star Line fleet.) With that, the boxy travel trunk-the suitcase of the day-became both a must-have accessory and a subtle status symbol.

Trunk Traits: Trunks made during this period were often constructed of simple pine frames and covered in painted canvas or leather for weatherproofing. Most trunks from this era are often incorrectly grouped under the umbrella term "steamer trunks," but experts like to reserve this label only for pieces less than 14 inches high, as this was the maximum height allowed by ocean liners for cargo that was stored in the hold.