Vintage Luggage

[sikiguya]

Anyone know much about Royal Chicago luggage? I collect brown/tan/admiral navy Samsonite (Shwayder Bros.) hard cases but I came across a 3pc set the other day and it was just so cool. It doesn't match my collection so I am going to sell them but I have no knowledge of this company. Can anyone enlighten me?

There is a train case, a medium, and a large case. Set has the angular design and is trimmed in hard metal.

Thanks!

Heather

 

[petek]

Wished I could help but I know nothing on luggage. Love the old Samsonite hard cases though. My first piece of luggage was a Samsonite dark blue hardcase back in the 70's, still using it though it's a bit scratched up now from use.
Samsonite, first class all the way.

 

[sikiguya]

Thanks!

Thanks so much! I love the look of the old luggage and just can't stop myself from buying it, much like a lot of you guys (and gals) do with the vacuums, washers, and appliances. It's just another one of those things that no one today makes that is any good or unique.

 

[Kevinpreston3]

Agreed

Everything now is either a duffle bag or the ubiquitous black "roller bag".

My parents used the luggage they got from my mom's parents for a wedding gift until the late 60s. It was hard and grey with very nice silk type lining. Then they got the Samsonite stuff in really bad 70s colors (or good if you come from that perspective)--green, off white, blue. My mom still uses the blue Samsonite makeup case (fantastic condition) and her white Samsonite hard case when she travels. I can remember so well the clicking closed sound of that kind of luggage--or no the old stuff, the spring loaded whack! sound of the latches when you opened them.

I've got like 4 sizes of the black roller bag. Boring, but moves fast through airports!

 

[sikiguya]

Look at the inside of this

Here is a picture of the inside of that suitcase. It's just so cool! I think I am almost talking myself out of selling it!

I know what you mean about the "black" suitcases/duffles. It's just a sea of black on the conveyer belt at the airport. It's so hard to know which one is yours, unless you attach something wierd to the handle like a ribbon, etc. I did see a hard case at TJ Maxx the other day in day-glo orange, made by Benetton. Loved the color but there is something about luggage that is made by a clothing company that bothers me.

 

[kenmore1978]

Bennetton

" Loved the color but there is something about luggage that is made by a clothing company that bothers me."

How much do you wanna bet they didn't actually make it? Just licensed their name

 

[petek]

Does Samsonite still make their hard cases? I remember when I was small I used to think they were so classy looking compared to the dime store stuff most people, including my folks, would use back then. And they were fairly expensive. Oh now I'm gonna have to dig it out and show you a pic.

 

[tolivac]

I have a Samsonite hard side bag I got a a high School graduation gift-one of the most useful things I had at the time-Was used on many trips to my Moms house via the airlines and hauling my clothes and stuff to college.That case and a few footlockers for school.Now its in my attic-storing stuff.I have a few other Samsonite hard cases I got over the years-The airlines bash 'em up quicker than anyone.I even saw my bag fall off one their baggage carts-yelled at 'em-probably didn't do any good-but made me feel better.Does Samsonite make cases of that quality anymore-yes All you see are those what I would call miserable (stewardess roller cases)It was great when stewardesses used them-but when Passengers used them-was a Mess getting on or off planes-esp if YOU had to do a track meet relay race to catch your next plane on the other side of the airport.Folks would be wrestling with those while you were trying to get on or off.Some of those were so heavy that the passenger using it almost needed a forklift to get it into the overhead bag bin.Now-- if I have to go anywhere-just pack my OLD Samsonite bag and DRIVE there.