Vintage Impressive Saks Fifth Avenue LARGE Brown Gladstone Bag 1950s 1960s
Item History & Price
| Reference Number: Avaluer:428134 | Brand: Saks Fifth Avenue |
| Decade: 1960s | Material: Leather |
| Color: Brown | Original/Reproduction: Original |
This is a HUGE Gladstone-style bag (26x18x12") that came from a local customer of mine. It'd be ideal for someone using it for travel (it's very sturdy and has a great look) or for carrying equipment of some type.
Anyhow, it's a glorious-looking bag and in a size that I'm simply not used to seeing in this style. It's leather with canvas interior and it's in really good shape for its age. The previous owner said it was bought new for him in the early '60s and he mentioned it was made... by Abercrombie & Fitch but all I can see is the Saks badge inside and "Made in England" stamped in two places.
The leather has cracking on the surface here and there throughout but is in good, useful shape and doesn't have mildew or stink. I don't do luggage work but I imagine the look could be improved 1000% with a simple rub-down and sprucing-up of the leather as it looks worn and a little dry from storage. All of the brass hardware is heavy-duty and quality and has just the right amount of patina and greening at the edges. There's no key for the lock, though. There's some wear to the interior but it's mostly confined to one small tear in the fabric of one of the side pockets and a stain in the middle-bottom. The "arms" that hinge to hold the bag open work well one one side but on the other side are sometimes hesitant to snap and "stay." I think that could just be crimped a little to make it hold, but -- I don't do luggage work! :)
I mostly deal in antique musical instruments but our family runs an antiques business as well, so this is carryover into my business from that. You will get what you see with no BS as I've been doing sales of some sort or another online for 15 years.
Anyhow, it's a glorious-looking bag and in a size that I'm simply not used to seeing in this style. It's leather with canvas interior and it's in really good shape for its age. The previous owner said it was bought new for him in the early '60s and he mentioned it was made... by Abercrombie & Fitch but all I can see is the Saks badge inside and "Made in England" stamped in two places.
The leather has cracking on the surface here and there throughout but is in good, useful shape and doesn't have mildew or stink. I don't do luggage work but I imagine the look could be improved 1000% with a simple rub-down and sprucing-up of the leather as it looks worn and a little dry from storage. All of the brass hardware is heavy-duty and quality and has just the right amount of patina and greening at the edges. There's no key for the lock, though. There's some wear to the interior but it's mostly confined to one small tear in the fabric of one of the side pockets and a stain in the middle-bottom. The "arms" that hinge to hold the bag open work well one one side but on the other side are sometimes hesitant to snap and "stay." I think that could just be crimped a little to make it hold, but -- I don't do luggage work! :)
I mostly deal in antique musical instruments but our family runs an antiques business as well, so this is carryover into my business from that. You will get what you see with no BS as I've been doing sales of some sort or another online for 15 years.
