The Find Report: Pink Samsonite Suitcases

We love it when our fellow Vintage Addicts share their finds with us! After hearing the buzz on Retrivertigo‘s major score, I asked her to give our readers a sneak peek. Read on to learn more about this amazing set of pink Samsonite luggage.

Name that find. What is it?
Two extremely rare, spotless vintage PINK Samsonite suitcases in their original boxes circa 1949. Manufactured by Shwayder Bros., Inc.

SPECS:
* No. 5221 Fashiontone “Ladies’ O’Nite (Regular)” in Pink Copper — aprx 12 1/4″ x 21″ x 7 1/2″
* No. 5251 Fashiontone “Ladies’ Wardrobe” in Pink Copper — aprx 17 1/2″ x 21″ x 7 1/2″
* original Samsonite key on vintage keychain
* original packaging

NITTY GRITTY: The interior of both cases feature identical shimmery, pristine, bronze-colored fabric. The larger of the two cases features some fabulous wardrobe accessories! The interior lid of the wardrobe features a retractable wood and brass clothing rack that holds its three original brass convertible hangers. The hangers fold and stow, with or without garments on them, within an ingenious tiny rack hidden just beneath the surface. In addition to a hooked tie-down cord, this lid also features a shirred curtain which securely hooks at the fold via metal eyelets.

On the bottom half of the clam shell are two shirred elastic pockets running up the length of both sides and two tie-down ribbons running parallel up the center. The smaller case is identical to the larger, just without the additional garment accessories. One Samsonite key (on the most adorable keyring from the original owner) is included and works perfectly in both locks. Absolutely incredible condition! The interiors of both cases are as clean as a whistle, without any major tears (a thread pull here and there), and free of offensive odors. Some visible signs of age are present (ex. scuffing on bottom from years of travel) but nothing terribly severe or out of the ordinary. All of the hinges, locks, and accessories are in perfect working order. [ORIGINAL PRINT AD]

Where was it found?
A friend of mine found them in the local classifieds. That’s my story and I’m sticking to it.

What makes this find special?
The combination of the color in this particular style is insanely scarce. Especially in such pampered condition. The genius design of the wardrobe’s interior was so progressive and thoughtful. Although the cases were meant to be ultra-practical, this line in particular featured uncommonly bright colors with a more fashion-forward feel. A fascinating thing considering they were manufactured in a time that marketing to women meant targeting housewives and not the more independent, free spirited females.

Introduce Yourself
My name is Sarah and I currently reside in Minneapolis, MN. I’ve a passion for oddity, obsolescence, dissonance, ugly beauty, thrifty kitsch, absurdity, adornment, world cultures, truth, fiction, and pretty much every facet of creativity. Aside from my Etsy endeavors, I’m an artist, a former gallery director, an event coordinator, a clown/monkey/Mommy, a fluent Spanglish-speaker, a relentless dabbler, a professional smart alec, proud nerd, and apparently an award-winning run-on-sentence-and-overly-wordy-list-maker.

Here are some of my links, MTV Cribs style…
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To share your finds, send them to finds [at] myvintageaddiction [dot] com or add the photographic proof to our Flickr group.