I saved this from the aftermath of a fire which burned down The Mall of America Museum in Polson Montana in the late 1990s. I don’t have any inherited information from the museum. It seems to me that the 1903 is the year branded on several locations on the bag as well as the initials J W H. After some research and given many opinions over the years those may stand for J. A leather prediction company that started making these type of bags around the turn of the century and was I believe established in 1905. So some people have suggested that this was a leather Smiths apprentice bag. The apprentice learning for the company trying to get the art of production down. I think it’s possible that the plaid interior was perhaps put in later and maybe the zipper. Behind the plaid interior lies burlap which I did find out they used to line a lot of stuff with back in the day. So with that said you can come to your own conclusions. I have a lot more pics. This item is in the category “Clothing, Shoes & Accessories\Specialty\Vintage\Vintage Accessories\Bags, Handbags & Cases”. The seller is “11half0man11″ and is located in this country: US. This item can be shipped worldwide.
- Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
- Style: Gladstone
- Decade: 1900s
- Material: Leather
- Original/Reproduction: Unknown
- Bag Width: 22 in
- Pattern: Plaid
- Bag Height: 14 in
- Size: Large
- Handle Style: Double Handles
- Lining Material: Cotton
- Color: Black
- Bag Depth: 14
- Vintage: Yes
- Personalize: No
- Hardware Material: Brass
- Model: Gladstone
- Strap Drop: 3”
- Features: Adjustable Strap
- Handle/Strap Material: Leather
- Product Line: Gladstone
- Occasion: Business
- Brand: J.W. Hulme Co.