I have a great affection for all things old, well loved, and etched with the battle scars that only time and use can produce. Well traveled old suitcases are no exception!
I have recently acquired my 3rd vintage case. This beauty came complete with it's original travel stickers from far flung places! Of course it also came with the "old suitcase funk"... closed up boxes seem to be a breeding ground this sort of smell. Sort of a mix of mustyness and stagnant air that's been locked up for way too long. Worry not, it doesn't diminish my love for the suitcase.
(and be thankful you can't smell it from where you're sitting!)
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| It's a well built affair.... and quite heavy, even empty! I guess if you get your initials on your luggage you don't have to worry if your baggage tag falls off! |
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| Nope, didn't come with the key. |
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| Too bad some of the stickers are beyond being read. |
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| This one is my favorite, it has retained it's lovely colors! |
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| And here's the trio.... |
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| This one belonged to an elderly neighbor... and came complete with a selection of retro scarves! |
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| This one i found on the street on "garbage day", parked next to a trash barrel! I have turned it into my traveling art studio. paints, clay, fabric, pencils, flocking, glitter glue, thread... There's a little of everything in there; you can never be to prepared for a crafting emergency!! (there's also a packet of potpourri to combat the funk!) |
I wish they could speak... and tell me where they've been ~ what they've seen.
So many unanswered questions in life... mysteries to be solved.... or at least partially unraveled...
I guess all I can do is love them for who they are today.
They're sensational, Melody! Wow, you're so lucky! Now you can't wash the smell away, I know but ... does it matter? Smell talks too. I love the Palermo sticker, it makes me dream and think about exotic destinations. Keep them as the treasures they are, sweetie!
ReplyDeleteLovely old suitcases Melody. I have one that is full of old family photos etc, no exciting labels though, how elegant they are! I'm looking forward to seeing your adventures with pastels now! I may put some more inspiration on my blog, pastel work, done on a dark coloured background, it initially inspired me to have a go. X
ReplyDeleteLovely ... just lovely. I can imagine you wondering where they've been, but you can only guess. I found a big chest on the street years ago, nothing you can hold in one hand. I think it's almost 100 years old as there is a part of a sticker left with the year 1921 (I think it was)on it. And I only know the address on the sticker was somewhere in Switzerland.
ReplyDeleteEnjoy the ole suitcases Mel ;-)
What great finds Melody, I can imagine the trapped, used, I-haven't-been-opened-for-a-while smell..the stickers are fab..that colourful one with the mountains and the pool looks really art deco-y.
ReplyDeleteHow amazing to have the initials M M McB...Millicent MaryAnne McBarringtonthwaite??
Endless possible aliases whilst carrying your suitcase!
Ali x
The second I saw them I thought of Elda:)) And there she is the first to comment:))
ReplyDeleteThe suitcases are so lovely and they bring out the nostalgia of the good old days.
Thanks so much for stopping by my blog, led me to yours; your beautiful animals and practical suitcases, bet they traveled by ship to all those places.
ReplyDeletexx
julie
See - I learned how to comment! Love your old suitcases. I've got 2 lovely old ones, too and they keep treasures I don't want to throw away, but have no real place for storing. When I open them once in a while I am always surprised what to find there!
ReplyDeleteP.S. Your letter arrived safely - LOVE the dog stamp!!