Antique Old England Leather and Brass Luggage with Original Travel Stickers c. 1900-1930
ABOUT
This is an original antique luggage by Old England, Paris. The company label is located under the latch. The luggage is black leather with "E.R.W. RYE. N.Y." stenciled in bold, yellow letters on the top. The original travel stickers include "Buenos Ayres", "Hotel DeSoto,Savanna Georgia" among others. The luggage is trimmed in distressed Tobacco-colored leather with a leather handle, brass latch and locks. The key is missing. The piece has retained its original finish and is in good condition with appropriate patina for its age.
- CREATOR Old English, Paris (manufacturer)
- DATE OF MANUFACTURE c.1900
- MATERIALS AND TECHNIQUES Leather, Brass.
- CONDITION Good. Wear consistent with age and use.
- DIMENSIONS H 13 in. W 21.5 in. D 18 in.
HISTORY
The DeSoto has been built and rebuilt several times before the current version was built in 1968. The first iteration was built in 1834 on the original site of the Oglethorpe Barracks, which despite the name, never housed U.S. troops.
In 1879, Oglethorpe Barracks was purchased by the Savannah Hotel Corporation, which developed a luxury resort hotel on the site to attract tourists on their way to Florida. The 300-room hotel opened on New Year’s Day in 1890, complete with a swimming pool, lighted miniature golf course, Solarium, soda shop, and barbershop. The luxury Hotel DeSoto was regarded as one of the finest examples of “modern” building, catering to America’s new leisure activities and becoming a local community resource. It was known as the ‘Dowager Empress of the South’ and was truly the center of Savannah’s social life.
The DeSoto, a member of Historic Hotels of America since 2017, dates back to 1890 and is currently open today.
