I’m going to be taking a couple trips in the next few months and I found this old guy languishing in the corner of the Volunteers of America Thrift Store here in Columbus and I brought him home for a whopping $4.95.
I did some research online and here are his specs…
Samsonite, Shwayder Bros, Denver, Colorado, Suitcase Model 4551, Ivory Marble, circa 1950’s (definitely no later than 1965 since the Shwayder Bros. officially changed their name to Samsonite in 1966). He had a pink airline sticker on the handle from a previous trip to Hawaii but based on his condition, I think he’s seen a whole bunch of the world. This model is running for somewhere between $30 and $60 online so I think this was definitely a score…
I’ve named him Buddy Holly. If anyone thinks it’s creepy that I named my suitcase after a rockstar who died in a plane crash…you should keep in mind that it’s creepy to name your suitcase period. And if you don’t know why Buddy Holly (the hipster before there were hipsters) is an awesome name for a suitcase from the 1950’s, you haven’t seen this.
I took some cleaning solution and a rag and scrubbed the grim off.
BEFORE
AFTER
BEFORE
AFTER
And Madigan decided to do some modeling.
Where are we going, Mom? More importantly, does this suitcase make me look fat?
What do you think? With his sparkling clean handles, I’m kind of crushing on Buddy Holly now. What about you? Do you like your luggage? Have you purchased anything secondhand recently?
love, elizabeth
