Please note: I have added 39 large photos to the bottom of this listing to try and show the item in as much detail as possible so please take the time to view them all carefully.
This is a very unusual insight into the bag of travelling wholesalers SAMPLES.
Ideal for a man cave or for a museum display actually.
As you can see the leather small Doctors type bag with the metal top bar that has the lock at the top and a good substantial leather handle which has been repaired in antiquity. It has had two smaller top straps as well to keep it all together which have long since broken off. The bag has holes and is really tatty.
The leather bag has the name C. BERNARD ARMSTRONG BIRMINGHAM at one side cut into the leather.
If you just saw this bag you wouldn't really give it a second look unless you are intrigued to see the contents.
On the handle there is a brown label which is hand written with wording which says From C.B. Armstrong & Bro. This bag was carried around by Mr Armstrong for many years as his sample range which was very wide as can be seen and is now a unique example of how travellers of yesteryear displayed their wares. Mr Armstrong used to call on my father and I remember him. Little did we think then that the last of the firm Miss Minnie Armstrong would send for me to purchase the remaining stock. ( see interesting papers enclosed )
The papers that this little tag refers to I have left in the bag ... these include some billheads of C. Bernard Armstrong & Bro. Wholesale Jewellers Requisites, jewellers sundries, watch and clock materials, tools, discs, labels and split rings, bag and purse fittings, watch straps and bracelets etc. Address was 13 Booth St, Handsworth Birmingham. They tend to be typed invoices and dated quite late 1973.
Invoices are to Messrs J.H. Blakey & Sons Ltd of Brierfield. Also is an official blue paper The Bankruptcy Acts 1914 - 1926 document relating to Joseph Auber dated 1938 with the official receivers observations. A really nice printed pictorial advert card showing all the long case clock parts.
Inside the case are 10 stiff cards which have pictures on the back and prices of quantities and the front has all sorts of items sewn onto each one.
These include long case clock wire, a large spring, dog collar clips and brass plaques for dog collars, small buckles, spring loops etc, hinges, handles, brass and steel clock keys, long case clock pulley, snecks, fittings, nuts and bolts, central hand washers and bolts, purse and small leather luggage metal fastenings, locks, larger furnishing fittings, picture hooks and hangings, clock hands, springs, spectacle side bars for around the ears, pocket watch key, 2 very small OWL fittings, fine gold suspension loops from fob watches and small pocket watches and jewellery pendants, pocket watch chain swivels, hooks and chain types, simple rings for attaching fob medals, a couple of T bars, safety chain hooks, a small brush, larger gents nickel pocket watch suspension loops, chain barrel clasps, brooch pin fittings, etc etc.
These stiff card boards are very tatty and falling to bits, dusty and really want a good blow with an air hose fitting to clean them off better for display.
They are just as I got them, I have not cleaned anything.
The stiff cards inside are about 9 x 5 inch.
The bag is tatty as already described and its about 13 inch long x 8 inch tall x 8 inch deep... it weighs approx. 2.950 kilos.
There will be very few SAMPLE stock bags like this around.
Please see pictures provided for more details and visual confirmation of condition.
In collectable condition with normal signs of age and use wear.
My stock ref : in loft.
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Scale is usually an English 1 penny coin which is 20mm in diameter which is just short of 7/8ths of an inch in diameter, or a universal Coke can, and we all know how big those are.
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If you see A/F = a/f in the title or description it means "as found" condition which may have scuffs, scratches and damage.
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