The Travelling Trunks

Three 18th century wood and leather travelling trunks, pictured after receiving conservation. — The travelling trunks after conservation work, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / Jane Birdsall

When the three Parminter ladies and their friend set off from London to France in 1784, the length and difficulty of their journey meant that they needed robust luggage. Travelling by coach over rutted, unmade roads, as well as a voyage across the Channel, these trunks survived these conditions to remain at A la Ronde today. Having recently undergone conservation, these histories have been preserved for future generations.

Thought to have gone on the Grand Tour with Jane and Mary, these three trunks help us to understand their travelling arrangements and how they approached their journeys.

These small, elegant trunks, perfect for a lady to carry, were likely used as a form of hand luggage, with most of their belongings going in larger trunks.

Small, leather coated 18th century travelling case, pictured after conservation, A la Ronde, Devon. — One of the travelling trunks following conservation, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / Jane Birdsall

This small travelling trunk is made of pine wood and was originally covered in leather with a layer of printed paper underneath. Decorated with brass tacks, these would have added strength to the trunks, which locked to keep the contents safe. Inside it is again lined with printed paper which has been painted over with a swirling blue pattern.

A small 18th century travel case, open to reveal the paper-lined interior and makers label, A la Ronde, Devon. — The interior of one of the trunks, with the makers label attached, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / Jane Birdsall

John Harrington, Trunk Maker

Inside one of the trunks, there is a maker’s label inside the lid:

John Harrington, Trunk Maker, at the Corner of Chancery Lane, Holbourn, London

18th century makers label with border, A la Ronde, Devon. — The makers label inside the trunk, A la Ronde, Devon. | © National Trust / Jane Birdsall

Various London directories, ranging in date from the early 1760s to the early 1790s list John Harrington as a “trunk and plate case maker”. The earliest listing is from a 1763 directory with the lengthy title, The Universal Director; or the Nobleman and Gentleman’s True Guide to the Masters and Professors of the Liberal and Polite Arts and Sciences; and of the Mechanic Arts, Manufactures and Trades, Established in London and Westminster and their Environs:

‘John Harrington, London, trunk maker, wood/furniture/carriage trades Holborn, The Corner of Chancery Lane’

There is also a record of a hearing at the Old Bailey on 18^th May 1763 when Henry Francis was convicted of the theft of a trunk which was the property of John Harrington.

John Harrington told the Court “I am a trunk maker and live at the corner of Chancery Lane, Holborn...”

Although there is only one trunk at A la Ronde with a maker's label, it was probably one of a set, studded with the number 4 under the carrying handle.

Conserving the trunks

Despite their sturdy materials, over the years, the natural materials from which they were made have been affected by changing humidity, temperature, handling and dust. The leather has crumbled and fragments lost, the wood cracked and the material and paper inside frayed.

In 2021, all three trunks were assessed at our highest priority for conservation and were sent to the workshop of Theo Sturge, an expert in working with leather.

Wherever possible, Theo consolidated original material which was repaired, cleaned, and treated to improve its condition. Internal lining material and paper were reattached with starch paste and missing sections of leather were replaced with new goat leather, coloured to match.