Antique Vintage Gladstone Kit Doctor's Leather Bag Brass English Travel Large

A prized and special piece, a complete Titan of a travel bag, straight from my personal collection. Several factors makes this bag special. Firstly, the main body of the bag is made from a thick combination tanned leather (a modern day equivalent would be Chromexcel by Horween), while chrome and combination tanned leathers were somewhat common in US made luggage, it was rather rarely used by English artisans. For me, this is actually the first English-made bag I have to feature such a leather.

And this is not without cause. Combination tanned leather is somewhat of a "best of both worlds", where chrome tanned leather offers superior durability in flexion and surface wear, and improved water resistance, while vegetable tanned leather gives a richness in colour, adds firmness and allows to leather to achieve a richer patina. The handle and subsequent straps around the bag, along with the bottom corners are made from tough vegetable tanned leather, for its rigid strength. Secondly, the l eather flap (or "hood") to protect the opening frame from any dust or water, to insure the stored item inside the bag remain dry and clean. You will rarely see these protection flaps on such bags. And even when they are present, more often than not, they are worn out, cracked with the straps ripped off. Thirdly, the extremely large size. The bag, when closed, measures at 73 x 46 x 39 cm (length x height x width) and when opened, gains about another 15 cm in height. Such size is not only rare to find, but is even rarely seen in catalogues from the appropriate period.

While the size it self is very impressive, t he bag become almost a miracle when paired with its condition. Naturally, due to the size, you would expect a lot more surface wear, and given the weight (especially when fully packed) it is unbelievable the handles are still standing strong. This bag, given all of its unique features, interestingly, does not have any maker's mark. Rather outstanding, but from all of my experience collecting, more and more I find supreme quality and craftsmanship in items without traces of the artist.

Just goes to show how quality was above all else in the past. Having been so well looked after for over 100 years, with the leather still supple and loads of patina, I've kept away from doing any restoration/refurbishment. In my personal opinion - it needs none of that, as you will rarely see a such a fine specimen. The bag features all solid cast brass hardware, all functional.

Included are the three small exterior buckles, the frame lock and two latches, and a handful of bottom domed rivets. The handles and riveted to the framed by copper rivets.

Interior is a lovely light linen canvas, with barely any staining and without any foul odor.