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1928

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Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company Hang Tag (1928-1930)

The year given is based on when the Detroit plant opened: 1928. This hang tag could've been used anytime between then and 1931, when the name of the company changed to Shwayder Bros. Inc.

2 pages

1930

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1930 Samson Luggage Dealer Catalog

Notice still Shwayder Trunk Mfg. Co., as the name of the company changed in 1931.

15 pages

1935

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Shwayder Brothers, Inc. Invoice (1935)

1 page

1940

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Samson Auto Luggage Dealer Pamphlet (1940)

3 pages

1941

25-41

Samson 2-Suiter Packing Instructions/Guide

3 pages

1948

483

Samsonite Initialgrams (Inner Instruction/Ad Sheet)

1 page

1949

595

Samsonite Luggage Brochure "Strong Enough to Stand On"

Dated via image on front and approximation via form number, a magazine ad appears in 1949 using that image. Possibly 1950.

5 pages

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595A

Samsonite Luggage Brochure "Strong Enough to Stand On" - Updated

5 pages

1951

767

How to Pack Your Samsonite Two-Suiter Guide/Instructions

3 pages

1951

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Sales Management, September 1st, 1951

7 pages

1952

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1952 Shwayder Bros. Denver Plant Organization Chart

Dated to 1952 via surviving newspaper reports and a Denver directory.

2 pages

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2234

Samsonite Retailer Order Brochure ("The Luggage That Can 'Take It'")

Likely from the early 1950s.

3 pages

1954

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Samsonite Dealer Ad Mats for Hat Box (1954)

The hat box was new for 1954, this envelope/contents helps solidify that date. Note that the form numbers for the inner mats are not within either of the two known form number systems from this time.

3 pages

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944

Samsonite Luggage "America's Most Famous Traveler!" Brochure

4 pages

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950C

How to Pack Your Streamlite Samsonite Two-Suiter Instructions

'C' possibly implies a revision to reflect a newer line, as both the Alligator finish and the Hang-It-All released far after 950 was first prepared. Thus, it is possible that for each revision a letter was assigned rather than redesigning the pamphlet: 'A', 'B', 'C', etc.

3 pages

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984

Samsonite Card Table Tag

1 page

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Samsonite Silhouette Tag (24" Pullman Case in Dover White)

Possibly mid-1950s to early 1960s.

2 pages

1956

1189

How to Pack Your Samsonite Ladies' Hang-It-All Instructions

The Hang-It-All was new for 1956.

3 pages

1956

1214

Samsonite Streamlite Luggage Brochure

Sometimes found with "Denver 9, Colorado" handwritten on the cover.

4 pages

1956

1224

How to Pack Your Streamlite Samsonite Ladies' Wardrobe Instructions

3 pages

1956

1239

1956 Samsonite Classroom Furniture Catalog

16 pages

1956

1300

1956 Samsonite Classroom Furniture Catalog (Abridged)

A much shorter version of the larger 1956 catalog.

4 pages

1958

1500

1958 Samsonite Classroom Furniture Catalog

An insert from The American School and University (1957 - 1958): Vol 2

11 pages

1959

2330

Samsonite Streamlite Christmas Brochure (Gimbels)

3 pages

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2340

Ultralite Samsonite Luggage Free Vacation and Travel Information

2 pages

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"Ski in Colorado" Samsonite Silhouette Dealer Postcard

This would be dateable via wherever the Holiday magazine article can be identified. I'd guess anytime between the late 1950s and 1964.

2 pages

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1959 Press Photo - Shwayder Bros., Inc. Denver Plant Ripsaw Jig

2 pages

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1959 Press Photo - Jesse Shwayder Holding Horizon Case

2 pages

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1960 Press Photo - Jesse Shwayder Holding Horizon Case

2 pages

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Samsonite Sentinel, March 10th, 1910

This is a simulated piece, likely created internally as part of a (now lost) larger exhibition celebrating Samsonite's history. The document is not actually from 1910, it likely dates to 1960 or later.

2 pages

1960

B1778

Samsonite Horizon 3-Suiter Packing Instructions

3 pages

1961

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1961 Press Photo - Shwayder Bros Inc. Headquarters Denver

2 pages

1961

2356

Samsonite Travel Bureau "Pointers on Packing" Guide

3 pages

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B-1847

Samsonite Silhouette Packing Guide

Form number format is newer as this one was updated to say "Samsonite Corporation" instead of "Shwayder Bros. Inc."

7 pages

1961

B-1884

Samsonite Silhouette Western Airlines Packing Guide

7 pages

1962

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Western Airlines / Samsonite Luggage Seattle World's Fair Pamphlet

4 pages

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ca. 1963 Samsonite Silhouette Press Photo

2 pages

1963

B1955R

Samsonite Silhouette "Now That You're Travelling as Two" Guide/Instructions

This book began distribution sometime in 1963 into 1969, this is the revised version to update Shwayder Bros. Inc to Samsonite Corp.

8 pages

1965

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Samsonite Electric Kitchen Knife Instructions

3 pages

1965

2397

Samsonite Sunrest Brochure

3 pages

1965

B-2179A

"A Talent For Travel" Samsonite Luggage Brochure

12 pages

1967

H-2270

Samsonite Outdoor Furniture 1967 Dealer Catalog

3 pages

1967

2423

Samsonite Cushionaire Brochure

3 pages

1967

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1967 Press Photo - Montbello Plant

2 pages

1968

H-2377

Samsonite Customaire Furniture Catalog

4 pages

1968

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1968 Montbello Plant Press Photo

2 pages

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0901-000-001

Samsonite Silhouette Attache Instructions

3 pages

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0909-000-002

Samsonite Silhouette Handi-Tote Instructions

3 pages

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0911-000-000

Samsonite Silhouette Packing Guide/Instructions

Included in this collection as an example of the system that subsequently replaced the old numbering system that started over two decades before, starting sometime in or after 1970. Note that it only applies to the luggage division.

3 pages