Historical information

Suitcase brought by Dutch immigrant.

Significance

The fact that the owner reinforced and mended the suitcase suggests the Dutch trait of taking care of things and making them last. The stencilled initials suggest this case was probably stored in the hold.

Physical description

Brown painted suitcase of reinforced oilcloth with metal handle and two metal locks. A small door lock has been added to the lid which has been reinforced on the inside by a timber slat. A plywood slat has been added to the handle side of the case.
The rims of lid and case are made of metal, as are the corners. The papered interior of both case and lid shows a small floral pattern in black and beige although, as part of the reinforcement, a coat of brown paint has been added to the inside of the lid and case, but not the bottom.
Of the two straps designed to hold down the contents one is still in place, but the other has been replaced by a length of elastic. The original strap is made of cotton, now a dirty white with blue edging, and does up with a small metal buckle. The interior of the case shows a lot of wear and tear with evidence of multiple repairs.
A small black metal chain holds up the lid, the corresponding one on the opposite side is missing.

Inscriptions & markings

On the inside: the timber slat carries the name A.T.A. RIJKEN in black ink and also on a black Dymo label.
On the outside: the handle side displays the initials A.T.A.R. and the figure 3 in white stencil. The lid bears evidence of a label in the bottom left hand corner. The lock, added by the owner, is 3cm in diameter and branded ELZETT Made in Hungary.