ebay find: amelia earhart luggage
If you’ve seen the new movie Amelia, you know that Amelia Earhart was much more than an aviator and an inspiration to millions. In her far-too-brief 39 years, she authored two books, was an associate editor at Cosmopolitan, became a visiting faculty member at Purdue University (where she planned to return after her ’round-the-world flight) and was actively involved in the manufacture and promotion of several products that bore her name. My favorite? Amelia Earhart luggage, which Earhart insisted be up to the demands of air travel. Perhaps that’s one reason you still find great travel cases, trunks, and suitcases on eBay, like a demure set of three or this bright green, ribbon-trimmed assortment. (We found the vintage ad on eBay, too.) Me? I’ve been stubbornly holding out hopes for years that I’ll find one while antiquing. It’s part of the adventure. — Sarah L.
I have a fabulous piece of lavender colored Amelia Earhart luggage- one of the bowling ball type bags. It was my grandmothers and the zipper is broken but I just can’t bear to part with it! Thanks for this post!
Those bags are adorable! I never even knew luggage came that cute!
I have sold a few pieces of Amelia Earhart luggage and I always look out for it. Usually it’s robust, colorful and very stylish. These green ones are such fun, and you certainly would always find them on the airport carousel!
[...] suitcases combine with hand luggage to create a couch built for two. While I’m a fan of classic suitcases, it would be nice to have my own couch to sit on while playing the waiting game this holiday [...]
I have 2 Amelia Earhart suitcases that I found for $2 each at Value Village in Vancouver. I’ve used them for the past 15 years and they’re still holding up well. They are definitely cute. One is red with the stripes, the other is mustard with stripes. Perfect!
I found a neat travel case/jewelry case from the Amelia Earhart luggage collection, it’s in great shape! I can see why it was considered to be very durable as you could drop it off a cliff and probably only get a few scrapes.
Hi Sarah,
We found a Amelia Earhart bowling bag just recently, just like the one in this picture. How old are these bags!? Any info would be appreciated. Frank. :~)
Hi Frank. Not sure of the exact dates, but it was produced from the 30s and well into the 80s, I think. Probably the best bet for tracking down the age of your bag would be to try and find an ad and match it up that way. I think the green was 60s and 70s, but not sure. Great that you found one though! I am still looking : )
I received an Amelia Earhart piece of luggage in junior highschool. It always seemed odd to me – I know it’s crass, but isn’t it just begging to be lost on a flight?
I located a luggage set of 3 in lipstick red. Have not been able to locate information for a manufacture date. Also, interested to know name of company manufacturing these. For example, were they made by Samsonite under the Amelia Earhart label?
Pam, I think it was Baltimore Luggage Company. Not sure if they are still in existence?
I just bought a lovely red Amelia Earhart bag yesterday. I think you would call it the bowling bag style. It’s in great condition except that one of the little feet are missing from the bottom. Does anyone know where to find a replacement?
Also my husband is a professional airbrush artist and I was thinking about having him paint her plane on the bag. Would that ruin the value of it though? Are they collectibles?
Hi Sarah,
We would like to sell ours. It looks just like the one in your picture here, same color too, so I’m thinking its from the 60′s or 70′s. Our manager friend at our local bowling alley gave it to us eailer this year.
You can call or email anytime.
Frank.
Dean, my brother has the bag,
here’s is contact info.
909-949-4815
Tazcatt2@aol.com
Keep holding out hope. I picked up two kelly green amelia suitcases from a garage sale over the weekend (a large and a small). They aren’t in super shape but I spent some time scrubbing them down & airing them out and they are awesome. Will be great for storage and display.
Mine definitely aren’t up for further airport travels tho.
Yes, Baltimore Luggage Co. (started by the Holtzman Family) build Amelia Earhart Luggage. They used to have a plant on W. Mulberry St. prior moving to 1919 Annapolis Road in S. Baltimore. I worked there as the Asst. Controller from 1980 – 1984, but left when I saw they were going to begin importing 100% of their goods. There is not much need for a cost accountant in an importing business.
They stopped manufacturing about 1984, and began importing soft-side luggage from Taiwan. An investment group led by Joe Schuster purchased the company from Mr. Sam Holtzman.
Joe Schuster passed away, and the company folded several years later, but I am not exactly sure when.
I have a four piece set of Amelia Earhart Luggage-the yellow or mustard color-I call it yellow – good condition – if anyone is interested
Loretta-
I am interested if you are still selling. My teenage daughter loves vintage luggage and would like a set for college. How much are you selling it for?
Hi
I have 3 red pieces of Amelia Earhart.
Anyone interested in buying?
I have a 3 peiace yellow set if anyone is interested
I just acquired an Amilia Earhart, Airlite, Dress or Wardrobe Trunk in very good condition. It has rawhide trim and woven canvas over hard side case. I am so excited that is is in such good condition. Inside has wooden hangers, wooden stable bars and straps that have her name woven in. Also compartments for shoes. I’m guessing that is is the largest and most expensive piece of it’s time. From the ads I think it was made in 1956. Anyone interested or now what the value would be on a piece like this?
terrilozano@msn.com
My dad worked for Baltimore Luggage Company from the 1950′s
until he retired in 1965. All my sisters received Baltimore
Luggage when they graduated from High School. I was lucky
enough to get the new Amelia Earhart in green when I graduated. I loved that bag and was grateful my dad worked
for such a wonderful company. Sam Holzman was a good man
to work for. Sorry to have seen the company go.
Cathy;
What a great story! And yes, too many wonderful companies are gone. I’m still stubbornly holding out until I find a piece in person. It’ll happen one of these days! Sarah