This bag was given to me when I left my motor mechanic employment in the 1970s. I knew it was in Ray's wardrobe and when I checked, inside there was a heap of letters from his mother, which no one now will be interested in, least of all me, and some photos. I think it was a mix of photos of his English family and local photos in his early years in Australia before we met.
I've kept the photos to go through but shredded the letters, which were just news about family. I had asked his sister if she wanted them, and she didn't.
So the case must be getting on for being 50 years old. Who would have thought I would still have it at my age. Aside from the inside fabric at its base breaking down, it is still in good condition.
There was a lot more in the case before I took the photo. Is it a Gladstone bag, or just similar? I can't remember.
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It is an impressive looking bag. Could the material at its base be repaired? Well done for checking whether Ray's sister wanted the letters.
ReplyDeleteYet again blessed blogger hid this post from me. It doesn't show in my reading list.
EC, it could be repaired but at best it will only ever be used for storage. It is too heavy to carry by today's standard.
DeleteTres chic!
ReplyDeleteThanks Bob.
DeleteI didn't see this post in my reading list either. Darned Blogger again.
ReplyDeleteThat is a very stylish bag. You obviously had good taste 50 years ago. Still do..don't you?
JayCee, it was the taste of others, not mine. It was a rather generous gift.
DeleteThat's a great bag! I'm glad you saved the photos. You know how I can't stand to see old photos discarded. :)
ReplyDeleteSteve, I will have sort them out into, I have no idea, I have some idea and This is his English family. It won't hurt to write on the back of them, will it.
DeleteWhat a wonderful gift. I am sure you could get it repaired. It could be worth a bob or two if you ever wanted to part with it.
ReplyDeleteMerlot, it possibly would be worth a bit, but I'll just keep it.
DeleteMen used to love their Gladstone bags... smart leather and spacious enough for whatever had to be carried.
ReplyDeleteHels, nearly always their lunch for a start.
DeleteBag still has a nice exterior. A bittersweet discovery, I imagine.
ReplyDeleteKirk, the contents were.
DeleteMy brother used to have a bigger Gladstone, which went all over the world with him.
ReplyDeleteBoud, I just think they are so heavy now compared to modern day luggage. You've answered one question, did the name Gladstone become generic and it seems not.
DeleteIt's in very good condition and would make a great "overnight" bag for holiday stays.
ReplyDeleteRiver, I'll stick with my lightweight case, thanks. I did use it when I was younger, before my fist overseas trip.
DeleteWell fancy finding that bag. I remember Gladstone Bags.
ReplyDeleteThe bag is looking good.
Leather never loses its attraction.
ReplyDeleteDid you use it for your packed lunch in your next job?
I didn’t see this either this morning - hadn’t come up on Wordpress or Old Reader.. Glad I found it.
Cathy, I did not, just as a one or two day away case.
DeleteI don't think I did anything to delay it.
No one made a good leather case that big anymore
ReplyDeleteRoentare, no, I suspect they don't.
DeleteNice bag, but is it something of a solution looking for a problem? I have a couple of containers like that.
ReplyDeleteVery much as you've described, Tasker.
DeleteIt's a nice looking bag. Is it quite heavy? The photographs must be really interesting, a part of Ray's past for you to treasure.
ReplyDeleteJB, it is quite heavy, before anything goes inside it. I wish he had cleaned it out before he died and could have told me about who was in some of the photos, but he 'didn't live in the past', like I apparently do.
DeleteIs it leather Andrew? In Ireland they were called Gladstones. Used by lawyers in court. Hard to carry when full.
ReplyDeleteXO
WWW
It is leather WWW. Gladstone bags had a very definite look but it would have been used for the same reason. Now lawyers push large trolleys around with their briefs piled high.
DeleteMy dad used a bag like this to take his lunches to work and when it wore out mum bought him a dreadful plastic brief case. I also remember one of my school teachers who had one of these bags, it was broken so it was always hanging open and stuffed with papers.
ReplyDeleteA very nice farewell gift. They apparently did things with style those days
Nice memories Kylie. A plastic briefcase doesn't sound good to me.
DeleteNice looking and convenient size for something.
ReplyDeleteStrayer, it could take three small cats comfortably.
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