Steamer trunks part 2

Continuing my exploration of two old steamer trunks in the attic...

The contents of this one date from the 1920's to 1950.

Trunk #2 is older and smaller than #1 and could be military issue. The lock was pried open.

The top compartment

 Looks like something had been pasted inside the lid and torn off. 

A large bag of something-or-other.

Yarn? A trunkful of yarn?

Baby shoes.

This round chocolate box contained pretty scarves, some or all from the '30's.

I love this one. It's sheer and embellished with sequins.

There were also a few odd gloves and old papers. Nothing exciting so I'll move on. 

The lower compartment

Although two knitting totes were at the top of the lower compartment there was no more yarn.

The front and back of the unusual bag on the left are made of wood painted white and joined at the sides with a denim-like material. The tote on the right has a Caribbean motif.

This slinky white satin dress is from the 1930's and reminds me of Jean Harlow. Because of its age and stains that indicate it wasn't cleaned before being stored I decided not to risk ironing the garment. 

  

I wonder if this was a wedding dress converted into an evening gown. The back was tacked open to make a plunging V and the crushed velvet bow was crudely sewn in place.

The only tag is so well hidden on a side seam that I didn't notice it at first and initially thought the dress was handmade. NRA stands for the National Recovery Act, enacted during the Great Depression to promote economic recovery. This tag was used from 1933 to 1935. Nice! There's no mystery about how old this is. 

Matson Lines Hawaii-themed menu covers from 1939.

 

Matson was a Pacific cruise line that eventually succumbed to the popularity of air travel. Blank menu covers could be ordered from the ship's purser and these were still in their original envelope. My parents had several framed and I always thought they were just pretty pictures. I had no idea more were stashed away.

As often happens I wish I could ask my mom where these came from, how old they are and what they were intended for. The brown wrapping paper has a notation that says, "Sequin material. $4.25/yard." My camera didn't capture the iridescent colors. The sparkle-flower material is long enough to make a wrist-length sleeve.

More handkerchiefs to add to my unexpected collection. 

Several are embroidered with my mom's maiden name initials prior to her marriage in 1934.  

Dumpling loves vintage hankies.

 

This is probably the newest item in the trunk. Not-Patty is modeling my bathrobe from around 1950. I wish this were available now in adult sizes. It's lightly padded for warmth and the (nylon?) fabric is wonderfully soft.

It appears that other garments in the trunk can be ironed safely. I'd rather show pretty things that aren't noticeably wrinkled so I'll end this entry and start working on the clothes. 

Ironing. 

Ugh.