Vintage 1950s Leather Suitcase by Erwin Kalla

This exceptional leather suitcase was designed in the early to mid-1950s by modernist artist and product designer Erwin Kalla. It is covered with leather and in sublime excellent condition...most would say a notch above. 

The small-ish suitcase will be a delight for those vintage collectors who wear and travel with their collections. It is that perfect size for today's airline carry-on luggage or overnight bag. Substantial and certainly fine quality, the suitcase has that somewhat unusual and charming size typically found during this era, and it appears to have been used perhaps only once or twice. The original key is attached; the locking mechanisms and clasps are in marvelous, strong working order. 

Kalla was a sought after product designer with a strong background in classical art and sculpture. His fine artwork was featured in museums around the country, and he produced commercial designs for everything from china, to furnishings, to paper goods. 

A lifelong friend with Andy Warhol, Kalla studied at the Cranbrook Academy of Art and the Carnegie Institute of Technology. 

The suitcase is made from gorgeous caramel colored genuine leather and is handmade with rich off-white hand top-stitching. The handle is divine and of the finest quality. It is fully padded and leather covered and finished with matching stitchery. The warm burgundy colored interior lining of the suitcase is marked on the label that it is lined with "Celanese Acetate Yarn" which also helps to identify this suitcase to the 1950s.

Overall, the suitcase is quite substantial and a hard shell, which will protect your lovely vintage clothing nicely. The interior lining has a stain on one lower corner of the pouch where something, such as a small bottle lotion, leaked slightly. Otherwise, there is perhaps one or two very minor scuffs here or there upon very close inspection. A leather expert such as a fine shoe cobbler or suitcase expert should be able to buff this out if truly required...or even noticed. 

The suitcase should be a complete delight to anyone who travels with their treasures from their vintage collections. This suitcase is so lovely that it will also make a terrific 1950s display item for museum exhibition. It is rare to find a leather suitcase in this condition and interesting size. It is also rare to find a suitcase such as this that has no serious damage and which has no storage odors whatsoever. 

Substantial, the suitcase is squared off at the bottom and rounded at the top. It weighs about 4.14 pounds or 1.86 kg. It measures approximately 19 long x 13.5 wide x 5.25 deep or about 48.25 long x 34.25 wide x 14 cm deep. Again, the original key is attached. Outstanding!