Description

Outstanding Vintage Hard Case Orange Brownish Suitcase with Leather Trim made by Guardian Edge Luggage, Newark, NJ, and owned by a gentleman named Hans Balser who was also living in NJ in 1950 (leather name tag attached) when he traveled to Europe (Italy, Austria and possibly other locations) on the Queen Mary and also returned on Queen Mary possibly with a stop in Edinburgh, Scotland. There are no less than 16 labels on this solid piece including Queen Mary, hotels like the Caesar Augustus in Capri, Hotel Stadt Triest in Austria, Palace Hotel in Italy, plus several Lufthansa labels and even two U.S. Customs labels including ticket still attached. We are assuming the labels are all from one trip the Queen Mary dates are 1950 but airline labels (and others) may have been from other trips. Suitcase has brass flip locks WITH KEY! which work very well plus your standard metal clasp (also in very good condition). Measures approx. 26 x 16 x 8.5" not including leather handle. Interior is lined purple with multiple lid and side compartments. There is stain along bottom in one quadrant and slight musty smell. We are placing dryer sheets within to hopefully offset. There are numerous scuffs and leather edges have wear and labels have peeled and faded. Like any luggage piece from 70+ years ago that traveled on ocean liners it got tossed around but it is still very solid well-aligned opening and closing with ease. Zoom in on max number of pics allowed by ebay as part of description. We looked up Mr. Balser he was born in Germany 1901 and emigrated to U.S. in 1938. He married and had children and appears to have resided in NJ most of his life here in U.S. He registered for draft in 1942 but likely did not serve being older in age. He passed in 1986. It's a great piece of additional info and having the original tag is also a hoot. This ships fast and FREE which will be pricey as it it obviously bulky. Contact us any questions and please follow our store as we bravely seek the rare and unique.