It looks like someone tried to use it as a stepstool, by the way the top is cracked.
The bargain-basement price of $6.99 won me over, and I tucked it under my arm and headed for the check-out station.
It was only once I had paid for it and was in the car that I realized what a treasure this little trunk turned out to be. It still has its original fitted tray, though the bottom of the tray needs to be reattached.
Underneath the tray was a collection of someone's doll clothes.
These are about the right size for an 18" doll, and they were obviously made at different times. First, we have an eyelet slip. The waistband and seams appear to have been done at one time, and the slip was hemmed by someone else at a different time ... perhaps someone who doesn't sew well (a child?), judging by the all-over-the-place stitches.
This pink dress is probably the oldest and most-well-loved piece in the trunk. It is made with very tight pin-tucks, and it shows a lot of mending and repair.
This little cotton shift and slip are smaller than the previous pieces. They are cotton, well made, and well loved.
The last piece in the trunk was this dress. It looks to be a lot newer than any of the other pieces, still handmade, though. The fabric is different, the snaps look newer ... it is well made but it doesn't have the same detail that the other pieces do.
The last thing in the trunk was this key, but not the key to the lock on the trunk, though. Just some random key ... perhaps used as a toy.
I'm kind of torn as to whether I should repair this trunk or leave it as it is. I think I'm going to do both, if that makes sense. One of the pieces of cracked fiberboard on the top of the trunk is loose, and I should glue that down so I don't lose it. I should also replace the missing nails to reattach the hinges, and tack the loose piece of molding on the lid back into place. I think that's where I'm going to stop, though. This little trunk will certainly be displayed up high on a shelf, perhaps in my sewing room, so having a cracked top won't matter.
The doll clothes could use washing, but I am not going to do that. They are what they are, and they will stay stored in this little trunk ... just like I imagine they were for little girls who played with them long ago.