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ID #SA1242866
FOR SALE
£175
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Large Quality Gladstone Bag or Wellington Bag in Leather
For sale by Malcolm Eglin Antiques
for sale €205     $222
£175
Malcolm Eglin Antiques

Malcolm Eglin Antiques

Sellingantiques Verified Since Mar 2009
Browse dealers 38 items
  • About Us
    Personal delivery service provided by this specialist dealer in fine and unusual decorative home furnishings
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Id #SA1242866
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Large Quality Gladstone Bag or Wellington Bag in Leather

1900 - 1920
Description

A fine quality leather bag c1920 with brass fittings, fine condition with normal wear. Leather is completely sound but could use a wax.

All brass fittings work as they should but no key. The interior has the existing canvas pockets, fair condition. Base completely sound with good quality heavy leather corner braces. Letters inscribed to side 'NRR'.

A Gladstone bag is named after William Ewart Gladstone, the famous four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. A London leather dealer and maker named J G Beard designed the bag in the mid-19th Century and named it after Gladstone because he was a massive admirer of the politician. Gladstone was a frequent traveller who often used this specific style of stiff leather, hinged-frame luggage to carry his documents. Because the Prime Minister used it, the bag quickly became a symbol of Victorian elegance, reliability and British refinement.

A good bag at a fair price.

Dimensions:

W: 56cm (22")H: 30.5cm (12")D: 30.5cm (12")

Date of Manufacture

Malcolm Eglin Antiques has dated this Antique Leather Gladstone Bag to the 1920s.

Independent Date Check ID 09700062
Dealer's Item Date1920s
Sellingantiques Date1920s
Sellingantiques agingItem 95-130 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to THE 1920s:
Brass lock stamped SECURE LEVER: classic English luggage hardware.
Stitched heavy leather corner braces: reinforced protection against luggage handling.
Verdigris beside the brass plates: decades of chemical reaction with vegetable-tanned leather.
Original canvas lining with internal pockets: unaltered interior from manufacture.
Warm patina and surface creasing: honest wear from long use.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Physical Dimensions
Height
30.5cm (12.01")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
30.5cm (12.01")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Reference
SA1242866
Dealers Internal Reference
02481
Dealers Notes

VIEWING by APPOINTMENT ONLY.

WE CAN BE CONTACTED ANYTIME ON MOBILE 07966 398123

FRIENDLY COURTEOUS, CONFIDENTIAL SERVICE SERVICE.

We have a wonderful selection of Fine quality Period antiques other Decorative Antique Home Furnishings, situated in the Heart of Northumberland by Hadrian's Roman Wall.

DELIVERIES :

We are pleased to offer a delivery service Worldwide.

Please contact us without obligation for a delivery quote. Please Note: Prior to using the 'Buy Now' button, please contact us to organise delivery costs.

DISTANCE SELLING REGULATIONS

All items purchased from Malcolm Eglin Antiques are covered under the Distance Selling Regulations, which give buyers the right to cancel the purchase within 7 days after receipt of the item, for a full refund less RETURN transport costs.

PAYMENT :

We accept payment by PayPal, BACS payment, credit card, debit card, cheque or cash.

Description
A fine quality leather bag c1920 with brass fittings, fine condition with normal wear. Leather is completely sound but could use a wax.

All brass fittings work as they should but no key. The interior has the existing canvas pockets, fair condition. Base completely sound with good quality heavy leather corner braces. Letters inscribed to side 'NRR'.

“
A Gladstone bag is named after William Ewart Gladstone, the famous four-time Prime Minister of the United Kingdom.
Malcolm Eglin Antiques

A London leather dealer and maker named J G Beard designed the bag in the mid-19th Century and named it after Gladstone because he was a massive admirer of the politician. Gladstone was a frequent traveller who often used this specific style of stiff leather, hinged-frame luggage to carry his documents. Because the Prime Minister used it, the bag quickly became a symbol of Victorian elegance, reliability and British refinement.

A good bag at a fair price.

Dimensions:

W: 56cm (22")H: 30.5cm (12")D: 30.5cm (12")

Date of Manufacture

Malcolm Eglin Antiques has dated this Antique Leather Gladstone Bag to the 1920s.

Independent Date Report ID 09700062
Dealer's Item Date1920s
Sellingantiques dating1920s
Sellingantiques agingItem 95-130 years old
Test ResultsPassed dating check
Why Sellingantiques dated this piece to the 1920s:
Brass lock stamped SECURE LEVER: classic English luggage hardware.
Stitched heavy leather corner braces: reinforced protection against luggage handling.
Verdigris beside the brass plates: decades of chemical reaction with vegetable-tanned leather.
Original canvas lining with internal pockets: unaltered interior from manufacture.
Warm patina and surface creasing: honest wear from long use.

This is an independent date report produced by Sellingantiques using its own proprietary system. The process uses the photographs shown on this page. The system is never told the date the dealer has declared. This report shows that the two dates corroborate.

Height
30.5cm (12.01")
Width
56cm (22.05")
Depth
30.5cm (12.01")
Reference Numbers
Sellingantiques Ref
SA1242866
Dealers Internal Ref
02481
Malcolm Eglin Antiques
Malcolm Eglin Antiques
Sellingantiques verified Since Mar 2009

Personal delivery service provided by this specialist dealer in fine and unusual decorative home furnishings

Dealer Profile

You can view the stock and full dealer information on the Malcolm Eglin Antiques Profile Page

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An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials.
1 / 9
Archive I An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials.

Large Quality Gladstone Bag or Wellington Bag in Leather

Archive II An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View II
Archive III An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View III
Archive IV An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View IV
Archive V An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View V
Archive VI An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View VI
Archive VII An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View VII
Archive VIII An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View VIII
Archive IX An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials. View IX
Enlarged Archival View
Malcolm Eglin Antiques

Malcolm Eglin Antiques
Telephone 07966 398123
Location
Hexham
Northumberland
United Kingdom
Dealer Profile Page sellingantiques.co.uk/meglin
Verified Since Mar 2009
Items For Sale 38
Items Sold 1,239
Malcolm Eglin Antiques
Malcolm Eglin Antiques
Verified Since Mar 2009
View Dealer Info
Location: Hexham, Northumberland, United Kingdom
Profile: sellingantiques.co.uk/meglin
Verified
Mar 2009
For Sale
38
Sold
1,239
An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials.
Large Quality Gladstone Bag or Wellington Bag in Leather
Ref: SA1242866
An antique warm brown leather Gladstone travel bag with a brass central lock mechanism, side latches, top carry handle, and stamped monogrammed initials.
Detail View 1
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Archival Detail

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Cataloguer’s note

Written by Sellingantiques from the dealer’s photographs and listing
  • ObjectLuggage & Travel Bags
  • Period1900 - 1920
  • StyleVictorian
  • MaterialLeather, Brass
  • ColourWarm Brown
  • MotifsHinged metal frame, Brass lever lock, Stitched leather handle, Corner reinforcement patches
  • SizeH 30.5 cm (12 in) x W 56 cm (22 in) x D 30.5 cm (12 in)

This large Gladstone or Wellington bag originates from the 1920 period in the Victorian style. Made of warm brown leather with brass fittings, the piece exhibits a hinged metal frame, a brass lever lock, a stitched leather handle, and heavy leather corner reinforcement patches on the base. Additional details visible include inscribed initials on the side, existing canvas pockets inside, and normal wear consistent with age, while the leather remains completely sound. The bag measures 30.5 cm high, 56 cm wide, and 30.5 cm deep. Suitable for display on a sideboard top, the bag fits well within a gentleman's library setting in a home today. The brass fittings operate correctly without a key, and the leather surface would benefit from a wax treatment. The structured travel bag offers practical storage while carrying historical associations with 19th-century British political travel luggage design.

FAQs

Named after British Prime Minister William Ewart Gladstone, the Gladstone bag is a rigid leather travel bag built over a hinged metal frame that opens flat into two equal compartments. Popularised in the 19th century, it became the standard design for doctors bags and short-stay travel luggage.

Authentic 19th and early 20th-century Gladstone bags were constructed from thick cowhide or pigskin leather stitched over a rigid iron frame. They feature heavy brass latching mechanisms, sturdy top carry handles, and often include reinforced leather corner guards.

Look for hand-stitched leather seams, stamped maker or patent marks on the central brass lock plate, sliding brass lever latches, and natural patina consistent with historical use. Original period examples feature a frame that stays open independently when unlatched.

An antique leather Gladstone bag serves as an effective textural accent when placed atop a wooden sideboard, styled alongside stacked vintage hardbacks, or positioned on a hallway bench to bring warmth and heritage appeal to an entryway.

Keep the leather supple by periodically applying a quality natural leather conditioner or beeswax balsam, storing the item away from direct sunlight and damp environments. Brass fittings should be dusted gently with a soft cloth to maintain the aged patina without stripping protective oxidisation.
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