Wodonga & District Historical Society Inc
Functional object - Gladstone Bag c. 1900s
This is a suitcase known as a Gladstone bag. It is named after William Gladstone (1809-1898), a Prime Minister of England. Gladstone bags were first produced by Edward Cole in London in 1854. These bags were commonly used, mainly by men, for business, work and sporting purposes. As it was compact and stored a large amount of material , it was a popular choice for men travelling to their workplace or carrying clothes and equipment to sporting event.This bag has significance as it was widely used by men throughout Australia. The original owner of this bag was a police officer in Bright, Victoria, although it is typical of those used by many local men in their daily life.This is a small suitcase, called a Gladstone bag, made of stiffened brown leather built over a rigid metal frame. It has a leather handle on top of the metal frame and a metal lock on the side of the frame. There are metal clips at each end of the frame.. Metal straps attached to the sides of the case. The bag is lined with light blue material and there are two pockets on one side of the bag, It is accompanied by a matching leather address label.gladstone bag, luggage, work bag