Vintage Travel

Last week, when DH saw me lift the suitcase out of the trunk he yelled from the front steps. "You know, you can't take that one to Africa".

It was a piece of real luggage. No wheels or zippers, probably lined with sturdy silk or crisp printed cotton - no keys so haven't been able to look inside. The kind tucked carefully into the hold of the Pan Am Boeing 707-123 Clipper America on October 26, 1958 when the airline inaugurated transatlantic jet service from New York to Paris. The elegant owner in her tailored sheath dress, swing-back jacket, seamed nylons and high heeled, peep-toed sling backs, tucked her soft leather clutch under her arm, adjusted her pill box hat, and climbed the steps to the cabin.

1951 advertisement for the same Crown brand luggage.

My first flight ever was from London to Washington, D.C. in 1962. Was I nervous, you bet! Was I excited, definitely. Those were the days when travel was truly a delight..............they certainly didn't toss the leather luggage about to be scratched, dented, scraped and worse.

Dear friend Vanessa offered me this vintage suitcase because she knew I'd love it being it was a faded French gray. It found a home on the armoire in the French inspired guest room, and on top, the pretty clock Vanessa gave me a year or so ago. Isn't it fabulous to have friends who know exactly what you love?

Edited 9:15 PM ~ After Marilyn at Delights of the Heart asked me if I was going to open the suitcase to see if there was anything inside.....I did! Nothing extra like $100,000 in cash, or a few pieces of diamond jewelry tucked in a pocket.................but look how pretty the lining fabric turned out to be, cream silky gathers and printed with the Tour Eiffel and Arc de Triomphe. Love it!!!!