When the Oshkosh Trunk Company began making their quality steamer trunks and travel wardrobes in 1902, the Wisconsin company came-across a cache of surplus striped cotton duck cloth which a fabric mill was willing to sell cheaply. Earlier on, during the Nineteenth Century, Spanish ambassadors had used this particular colorful fabric for their diplomatic pouches throughout the Americas. But, after Spain's defeat in the Spanish-American war of 1898, Spain lost its colonial holdings in North America. The unused fabric sat as "deadstock" in the fabric mill's warehouse. The Oshkosh factory bought-up the cheap, excess fabric to cover their trunks—later painting-over the striped fabric "base" with a dark, solid color. That is, until a stylish buyer from Marshall Field happened to see the trunks being made and specifically requested a shipment of Oshkosh trunks which preserved the (now-classic) red, gold and cream striping. The "new look" was a big hit and, in 1927, Oshkosh expanded its line of large trunks to include smaller, portable luggage. This foray into smaller luggage coincided with the broader democratization of travel. Businessmen and middle-class tourists (or at least those in the upper middle-class) now found it increasingly possible to travel—whether by train, steamship or (soon) by car. Customers wanted luggage which they could transport themselves—and store in smallish spaces on trains or airplanes. And Oshkosh was ready to provide such luggage—"wrapped" in the handsome cream, red and gold striping. Oshkosh trunks and suitcases were sold in the finest departments stores, coast-to-coast. And the luggage maker opened their own shops on 34th Street in Manhattan, on Regent Street in London, and along the Champs-Élysées in Paris.
Oshkosh called its line of handsomely striped luggage "The Chief" after Chief Oshkosh (1795-1858), the one time leader of the Menominee people (and namesake of the Wisconsin town). After World War II, train travel was replaced by air travel, and the Oshkosh Trunk Company failed to adapt to the changing times. The company closed its doors in 1961.
The antique pullman suitcase, shown above, was made by Oshkosh some time after 1927 or the 1930's. The interior lining and pockets remain in remarkably good condition—as does the exterior. Click on the photo above to learn more about this handsome piece of luggage.
Though our Greenwich Village store is now permanently closed, LEO Design is still alive and well! Please visit our on-line store where we continue to sell Handsome Gifts (www.LEOdesignNYC.com).
To arrange a visit our Pittsburgh showroom (by private appointment only), please call 917-446-4248.