Antique Samson Shwayder Pine Metal Banded Steamer Trunk Travel Chest 35"

Description

Antique Samson Shwayder Bros steamer trunk / storage chest / footlocker / suitcase / luggage / coffee table. Made of pine featuring metal banded edges with rivets and leather handles. Marked Samson and Shwayder Brother Detroit on lock.

The Shwayder brothers were a family from Denver, Colorado who founded the luggage company that eventually became Samsonite Corporation.

The Shwayder family of Denver, Colorado is best known for what became the world-famous luggage company Samsonite Corporation, which was founded and operated by the Shwayder family. In 1910, Jesse Shwayder opened a small luggage factory in Denver with his father, Isaac, and brothers, Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon. In the year before opening the factory, Jesse worked as a salesman for the Seward Luggage New York City. The business became incorporated as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in 1912, and it eventually changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. All the Shwayder brothers held executive positions in the company in the 1920s. Jesse was the company's president, Mark Shwayder directed sales, Maurice and Ben Shwayder oversaw manufacturing, and Solomon Shwayder served as the company’s lawyer. Samson, after Jesse's favorite biblical hero, was the first trade name for the company’s luggage, and this was later changed to Samsonite. Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company started to diversify its product offerings in the 1930s by manufacturing folding furniture, and the company changed its name to Shwayder Brothers, Inc. in 1931. As sales increased throughout the 20th century, the company moved into gradually larger facilities in Denver, and at various stages in the business’ history, it opened additional plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arizona, Mexico, and Japan. In 1961, Jesse Shwayder’s son, King D. Shwayder, became president of the company, and in 1965 the Shwayder Brothers, Inc., changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. The Shwayders sold the Samsonite Corporation in 1973.

Isaac Shwayder
Born in Poland in 1855, Isaac immigrated to England and then America. He worked in a dry goods business in Central City, Colorado, and later became the acting rabbi for the local Jewish community.

Jesse Shwayder
Jesse opened a small luggage factory in Denver in 1910 with his father, Isaac, and brothers Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon.

Solomon Shwayder
The oldest brother, Solomon was awarded a scholarship to the University of Denver and graduated at the top of his class from law school.

Timeline
1912: The business was incorporated as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company.
1941: The company created the Samsonite Streamlight and changed its name to Samsonite Corporation.
1970: Jesse Shwayder died in Denver at the age of 88. By the time of his death, Samsonite had become the world's largest luggage manufacturer.

Condition

Fair condition, wear and distressing commensurate with age and use, marking / scuffing / finish loss, one handle gone, denting, no key.

Dimensions

16.5" x 12" h x 35" l