Detail of the riveted leather....
I wish i had the original lock to go with ......
Back of the bag showing RAF stencils......
Front view revealing the plastic covered "tag holder".......
HERMES canvas and leather Birkin bag strangely similar ....I've recently acquired this great "tote bag". After a quick research,i've been able to confirm what i've suspected from the beginning: It was a ww1 to early ww2 ROYAL AIR FORCE bag.It might have been used to carry some "secret documents" [as opposed to regular mail], as it features an heavy brass lock pad to secure its content.The leather parts are strongly riveted to the heavy canvas covered with RAF stencils.It's fun to compare this,hundred and something years old bag ,with an Hermes one.Was the famous French brand inspired by it or what !?...I'll let you be the judge.
If the designer was inspired by that RAF tote he or she has good taste. The original one is only a million times cooler tho.
ReplyDeletein all my years of collecting militaria and vintage in general this is my first encounter with such a bag....and believe me i've since some cool stuff when i was living in europe ..thx for the comments ...
ReplyDeletei have a couple of bags that are almost exactly the same that were used to carry money from the toll booths on the golden gate bridge.
ReplyDelete