The golden years of the most famous suitcase in the world
Words: Honor Scott
‘Modern day classic’ is phrase so casually thrown about, yet one that so few brands can truly lay claim to. Therefore, one could be forgiven for losing track of its meaning. Let us offer you a gentle reminder, gentlemen, in the form of the “world’s most famous suitcase”. Where Globe-Trotter is concerned, ‘modern day classic’ doesn’t seem to go far enough.
The combination of premier strength and durability with legendary class and elegance is one that has established Globe-Trotter as the iconic suitcase brand of the last 117 years. Their world-class credentials aren’t just abounding in their remarkable client list, but also in the extremes of the world which these cases have visited. In 1912 they accompanied Scott on his infamous expedition to the Antarctic, and over forty years later they were still the luggage of choice for Sir Edmund Hilary to takes far as the Base Camp of Everest. Churchill and HM Elizabeth II (who used Globe-Trotter for her honeymoon, and frequently thereafter) are other names to have graced the list of bespoke service orders. With such testimony, it’s no wonder that the brand proudly maintains their original manufacturing methods.
The heritage of these cases is synonymous with the pioneering years of travel; the epitome of elegance exclusively tailored to the upper levels of society who, unhindered by baggage restrictions, would board their Ocean Liners with nothing less than fully matching and bespoke accessories. The whirlwind of today’s standard airline flights may be an alien world in comparison to such an image, but there’s no denying the enduring need for luggage that does more to facilitate a gentleman’s travel than simply keeping one’s belongings in check. The ‘Golden Years’ of cruises might be deemed to be over, but travelling in style is far from a thing of the past.
Investing in luggage of such calibre means investing in a product which takes over ten days to produce. The distinctive leather corners are moulded on Victorian press machines over five days; every case is produced from a single sheet of vulcanised fibreboard, a unique material invented by the British in the 1850s which has the strength of leather and the lightness of aluminium; every detail is closely quality checked before being released from their Hertfordshire factory. With Globe-Trotter, providing customers with a lifetime travel companion is more than just an ideal they strive towards; it is the very least of the standards they have been upholding for over a century.
A true antique of the future, the brand is proof that the discerning buyer still seeks today what they sought in 1897: quality and strength crafted into a product of the ultimate sophisticated luxury, that can be relied upon not just journey after journey, but decade after decade. However travel might develop in years to come, it doesn’t take much imagination to predict who will be satisfying the standard demanded by future generations.
All images: Globe-Trotter
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