Sewn leather shell (cream) over fiber board (black) with solid brass hardware and an acetate interior lining. Acetate is a nylon based fabric which looks and feels much like satin.
Original condition before brass was polished and other imperfections color matched and coated with acrylic wax.
Reconditioned top side had an imperfection that needed to be filled with epoxy. Hard to tell from the photograph
Original condition top side.
Believed to be acetate, the interior is in excellent condition. Only very minor discolorations and imperfections which cannot be seen in the photograph.
The original interior just needed to be lightly cleaned to rid itself of musty odors.
Closeup of zippered pouch that appears to have a nylon lining.
There were some small chunks of leather missing throughout, but have been filled with water proof glue and color matched to blend with the suitcase.
Original condition bottom side.
The feet are solid brass except for the very tips. The hinges are mostly brass with steel pins as hinge points. All in excellent condition. Nothing is loose.
Original condition.
Most of the imperfections have been repaired.
Some of the stitching has broken, but the molded leather is very tight against the case.
Most of the imperfections have been repaired.
Some of the stitching was broken on this side also.
Label reads "Maximillian New York, NY". The handle is sewn leather and the brass mounts that attach to the case are very tight.
At some point a working key will be made since the locking hasp is the only thing that keeps the case closed.
Key from similar suitcase made by same company.
Maximillian Suitcase, Circa 1949
A collection of images from a reconditioned, vintage hardshell suitcase from the early atomic age. Luggage isn't exactly considered a collector's item; however, pieces still in good working order and decades old still have value. Modern luggage is only rated to last about 10 years. The suitcase in this gallery is still in nearly very excellent condition after 70 years of use. Typically, vintage luggage does not command much money unless it was made by Louis Vuitton or the like.
Dimensions : length 21 in. x height 15 in. (including 1 1/2 in. for bottom glides and handle lying flat) x width 6 1/2 in.
Almost nothing is known about the Maximillian Luggage Corporation. Cannot find any information dated after the year 1951.
The flash from the camera makes the suitcase look less blemished than it really is. You can zoom in on the images if you mouse over them. During autoplay zoom is disabled.
Valued in the range of $75 - $125.