One of the items unearthed during this winter’s sorting and purging binge was this Walt Disney child’s suitcase. It was given to Hiram’s mom, Elsie, in the 1930s. Her eyes shone as she told about receiving it from her parents during the Great Depression. The case was shabby and well-used, but to her it was still the treasure it had been she was just a child.
She gave us the case in 2003, a few months before she died. It’s been in the attic for years, and I don’t know what to do with it. For the past few months, I’ve been visiting every Disneyana (That’s the special name for Disney memorabilia. Kind of like calling the Disneyland employees “cast members” instead of employees, I guess.) trying to find out something about the suitcase.
Thus far, the search has revealed nothing. So, I’m going public with the case, hoping some expert will see this blog post and point me in the right direction. Or fill in the gaps. Or value the case at several thousand dollars even though the case is scruffy, the paper is peeling, and the bottom falls off.
The picture above shows the case from the top. The handle is leather. The clasp and all the hinges are metal and in good shape. The clasp has a keyhole, but the key is long gone.
Here’s a view of the bottom of the case:
The little luggage tag to the right of Donald has lines for name, street, city, and state. None have been filled in.
Here’s the inside of the case:
Here’s a close up of the interior. The “Having a Wonderful Time?” and “Forget Something?” pictures are repeated across the interior, as is the copyright which says “Walt Disney Productions.”
The top and bottom of this 1930’s Disney child’s suitcase are pressboard covered with paper. The sides are thin plywood covered with the same paper. Any information or resources would be appreciated! Otherwise, back in the attic it goes until Antiques Road Show comes this way again!
