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It's a bird, it's a plane! It's INDESTRUCTABLE and there is probably a landfill out there full of it!
What is "it"? It's Shwayder Brothers Samsonite Streamlite luggage, and there is probably some in your attic right now - and there are buyers out there just dying to open their wallets to get it.
Streamlite pieces offered for auction may often be dirty and neglected looking. Do not despair! A little Windex, toothpaste, and perhaps some Simichrome polish on the handle and it will be as good as..... VINTAGE!
When you are ready to buy, the best place here I have found is to search in Travel - Luggage, then enter "vintage samsonite".
When listing Streamlite for sale, please note - - Streamlite is NOT leather,the fittings are NOT brass and the handle and/or train case trays are certainly NOT Bakelite! This is just cool, old, 1941-1955 era composites.
My favorite pieces are the Train Case, Hat Box and "Ladies Overnight Regular". They are perfect for storage of jewelry, arts and craft supplies, knitting and just look lovely sitting on an exposed shelf.
I currently own only one piece of Streamlite. It's my mother's circa 1951 Admiral Blue Train case - the last piece from my parents' honeymoon luggage. As a child I remember there were at least 7 pieces of the set. My siblings and I would play with the suitcases, sitting in them and pretending they were rowboats. I was fascinated with the marbled exterior and the shiny oval clasps. The interior was like a fine ladies dress - all wispy and gathered and holding the aroma of my mother's perfume!
There have been wonderful examples of Streamlite as an OOAK canvas on Ebay. The smooth surface and wide open space just begs for decoupage, acrylic freehand, whatever you can dream up! And remember, it will probably outlive the artist (if sealed properly of course).
NOTE: Samsonite Streamlite pieces are
tapered in design, they are wider at the bases than at the top (ie: 9
inches deep at the base, 7 inches deep at the top), making them
unsuitable (pardon the pun) for endtables, whether they be stacked, or
the attached leg type.
Watch for more Streamlite guides coming, including a model number listing with dimensions - Soon.
Happy Hunting! And please, if this guide has been helpful please click on the appropriate button below before browsing away.
Guide created: 11/18/06 (updated 09/06/08)
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