William Wrigley travel trunk

[dgo71]

In the category of "small world," my buddy was wasting time in a thrift store in Virginia Beach and came across this item. It is an original travel trunk once owned by chewing gum magnate and Cubs owner William Wrigley. Obviously there are some condition issues but I thought this was a pretty neat item to surface, especially in, of all places, a thrift store some 700 miles from Chicago. Apparently the store's owner contacted the HOF and had it authenticated shortly after it was donated, and the Hall even had pictures that showed Wrigley with this very trunk. That's the story I was given at least. If legitimate, I still don't know if $800 is a good price for something like this, and it certainly isn't a fit for my collection, but I thought it was worthy of sharing at the least.

http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/DGO_11/IMG_7961_zpse5257224.jpg (http://s967.photobucket.com/user/DGO_11/media/IMG_7961_zpse5257224.jpg.html)
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/DGO_11/IMG_7729_zps95dd32e9.jpg (http://s967.photobucket.com/user/DGO_11/media/IMG_7729_zps95dd32e9.jpg.html)
http://i967.photobucket.com/albums/ae158/DGO_11/IMG_4414_resized_zps4d937b2b.jpg (http://s967.photobucket.com/user/DGO_11/media/IMG_4414_resized_zps4d937b2b.jpg.html)

[Runscott]

If I thought it was real I would have bought it for that price - with the drawers, it's a perfectly usable man-cave item.

Great piece - thanks for sharing.

[vintagesportscollector]

If I thought it was real I would have bought it for that price - with the drawers, it's a perfectly usable man-cave item.

Great piece - thanks for sharing.

Agreed, but have doubts on legitimacy. If real seems a bargain at that price.

[dgo71]

Agreed, but have doubts on legitimacy. If real seems a bargain at that price.

That's kind of what I thought too. I wasn't there and don't know if my friend saw any of the documentation from the HOF, so I can't add any validity to that side of the story. Apparently the original owner got it at an estate sale, which is the kind of thing that might be complete BS. I did a cursory internet search to see if I could turn up any past records on Wrigley Estate sales but didn't find anything. That type of research is not exactly my specialty though so maybe I just didn't know where to look.

[dgo71]

with the drawers, it's a perfectly usable man-cave item.

Had that thought myself! :D

[DeafSports]

only 800? it would gone for 8,000 easily!!

Where's Dummy Hoy or Dummy Taylor's trunks?? Im waiting :)

[Econteachert205]

If you look at the first c in Chicago it does appear to be
Painted under the old paper label. Assuming the paper label was not added later which it does not look to be id say the piece at least warrants closer inspection

[iwantitiwinit]

I have to believe this is legitimate who would go to the trouble of trying to concoct a fake trunk like that with all the printing for only $800.00. You should call them and purchase that now!!!!! Heck risk reward seems worth it.

[dgo71]

Ok, resurrecting this old thread, as I went by the thrift store and they still have this item. In fact it has been marked down to 699. Having now seen it I have no doubt in its authenticity. It had that old mildewy smell and the guy had some very specific details. It is from 1913 and the original owner had it for about 40 years. He acquired it at an estate sale at one of Wrigley's mansions. The person was removing a stained glass window and went to the attic to get it loose, and found the trunk. The leather has cracked and dried in some areas and the original leather handle at the top is missing, but all the interior drawers and hangers are intact. Considering it's over 100 years old it's not in bad shape.

The stickers on top are very brittle and definitely aged. One is from where the trunk was shipped to L.A. and even has the shipping company's old, outdated format phone number. The other is a Waldorf Astoria sticker, which Wrigley had a hand in building. That sticker is actually no longer attached and just laying on top of the trunk.

If I were to purchase this, what would be the best way to resell it? Obviously shipping would be problematic and expensive. If the estimates above are remotely close to the true value of the item, I'm definitely going to buy it.

[vintagesportscollector]

I am not sure about the above estimates, but your would have to think it is worth more a lot more than $699. If you have no doubt and trust everything you heard with that story, I am surprised you left without buying it already. I am also surprised no one else has bought it already, and for that matter why so cheap if the seller knows the background on the trunk.

Seems to good to be true, to the extent that something doesn't seem to add up.

[dgo71]

I think it is cheap because the guy knows what the item is but no idea of value. It's a thrift store, the guy running it doesn't specialize in sports memorabilia and in fact that was the only sports related item in the store from a collectible standpoint. Likewise, it's a pretty niche item, I don't know that there are many vintage collectors hitting the thrift stores in this area, or that would be willing to spend that money on an oddball item. I've been collecting 30 years and have no clue to its value, so I can imagine the price would seem high to a casual patron.

[dgo71]

That said, I'm buying it tomorrow. I've heard enough encouraging remarks to believe I won't get stuck with it. And even if I do, as stated, it'd be a cool man-cave item. :)

Can anyone direct me to some websites where I could do a little more research on something like this?

[vintagesportscollector]

Go for it. Good Luck. To the right Cubs collector you could make a lot of money. Museum quality piece. Try contacting the Cubs organization. Also try finding some early photos of Wrigley where you may be lucky enough to find a matching photo - who knows. One of the larger AHs may also research it for you if you consign.

[whitehse]

There is a great deal of information online regarding repair and restoration of steamer trunks such as this one. While i am sure you dont want to change much, if anything on this trunk, perhaps some of these restoration places can give you an idea of value of the trunk only and not the sports related value.

For the record, I see this item in the hall of fame or maybe even a Wrigley museum (if one even exists). This truck is very cool.

[whitehse]

Go for it. Good Luck. To the right Cubs collector you could make a lot of money. Museum quality piece. Try contacting the Cubs organization. Also try finding some early photos of Wrigley where you may be lucky enough to find a matching photo - who knows. One of the larger AHs may also research it for you if you consign.

I have contacts within the Cub organization and I am reasonably sure they would not want it. Now if it said Cubs on it in some way they would have interest as they are building some additions to Wrigley which will include a team museum.

[dgo71]

Thanks! I'll start looking around and see what I can turn up, appreciate the leads.

[bbcard1]

There's probably a whole other crossover candy collector market that would also find it to be a very attractive item. Nice find.

[dgo71]

There is a great deal of information online regarding repair and restoration of steamer trunks such as this one. While i am sure you dont want to change much, if anything on this trunk, perhaps some of these restoration places can give you an idea of value of the trunk only and not the sports related value.

For the record, I see this item in the hall of fame or maybe even a Wrigley museum (if one even exists). This truck is very cool.

I missed this post while scrolling on my phone, thanks for this info! Where's an Antiques Roadshow appearance when you need one?

And I agree completely on your last point. When my friend first told me about this item I mentioned the HOF maybe having an interest in it. I may try to contact someone at the Wrigley corporation and see if there's any info they can provide.

[yanks12025]

Roger Bresnahan 1902-08 New York Giants Traveling Trunk just sold at auction for alittle over $3,300.

[vintagesportscollector]

I missed this post while scrolling on my phone, thanks for this info! Where's an Antiques Roadshow appearance when you need one?

And I agree completely on your last point. When my friend first told me about this item I mentioned the HOF maybe having an interest in it. I may try to contact someone at the Wrigley corporation and see if there's any info they can provide.


Good Luck Derek! I agree, museum quality piece. Kind of exciting - keep us posted on what you learn and how this progresses. And when you get it, seeing a few more close up pics from different angles would be cool.

[dgo71]

Roger Bresnahan 1902-08 New York Giants Traveling Trunk just sold at auction for alittle over $3,300.

Do you know the condition or have a link? Looking at steamer trunks on Ebay, aside from insanely priced Louis Vuitton trunks, the prices were mostly under $1000. I'd think Bresnahan would have more appeal to collectors than Wrigley, so I'm starting to think the asking price is more in line with the value.

[gnaz01]

Search the Heritage results, it's there

[Shoeless Moe]

Stanley Coveleski - $239

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=165776

Lefty Grove - $968

http://www.legendaryauctions.com/LotDetail.aspx?inventoryid=66215

Cy Young - $2390

http://sports.ha.com/itm/baseball/circa-1903-cy-young-personal-traveling-trunk/a/714-81843.s

[dgo71]

Thank you Paul, that is most helpful.

[yanks12025]

Did you ever buy this?

[GoCubsGo32]

I have purchase the Wrigley Trunk. I was doing my morning treasure hunting on eBay before work ( about a week ago) when, I saw this trunk pop up. I recall seeing this thread awhile back ago, double check and it was the same trunk. It was shipped out today, so I'll take pictures once it arrives. Not sure what the future holds for this trunk, but for the price, couldn't pass it up.

[GoCubsGo32]

Got the trunk today. This thing is huge and heavy (about 75-100lbs)! I don't how they carry these things around,lol. I took some more pictures of the trunk. It's an interesting piece and the inside is in very good condition! The outside is a little rough, but is there any way to clean it? I mean would it be okay to wipe it down with damp cloth to clean off the dirt around the chest? Thought about contacting the HOF for more info or maybe put it on loan.

http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1460_zpsdwydcbro.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1462_zpszwtam09v.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1463_zpsxqzvllvh.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1464_zpsc56a6ake.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1465_zpsy54yazc0.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1466_zpszxb1jcbq.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1467_zps2ndmrkon.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1468_zpsaonjmc1a.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1469_zpsb2ss5sme.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1470_zpsz3vmj04c.jpg
http://i304.photobucket.com/albums/nn197/boilerup32/IMG_1471_zpsqknksxwp.jpg

[ooo-ribay]

^^^^^ Super cool!!!!! :D