Location June 1942:

Strand Leather Goods Co., Inc.
38 West 32nd Street
New York, NY

Samuel Carolin, Louis Levine and Joseph Malino formed Strand Leather Goods on April 12, 1924.

The 1940's

War brought restrictions on the use of critical materials. 1942VictoryBags Existing supplies of many other materials like rhinestones and fabrics from Europe, rubbers cement and chemicals for vinyl and other plastics were all that was available for the duration, so designers immediately changed course and brought forth innovative solutions. Old alternatives like wood frames and new ones like corde' rayon replace metal and leather to comply with government restrictions.

Luggage & Leather Goods June 1942, page 47

Novelties for The School Set were features in the August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 42

Box type kit bag in simulated saddle leather. Inside has pockets that hold pack of cigarettes, compact, comb, lipstick. A sturdy bag with double swagger handles and neat lift lock. This sells for $1.95, and is shown by Strand Leather Goods.

Display as August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 52

Mac Waldman in Army

"Mac Waldman of Strand Leather Goods left on July 25 for the Army. Mr. Waldman covered the resident offices in New York and also "Was well known in the firm's showroom." (Handbag News August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 54)

Half page display ad July 1947 Handbags Illustrated, page 46

The "Beauty on a Budget" feature in the same issue included this Strand Leather satchel, style 7233. It wholesaled for $22.50 per dozen in a variety of colors in calf-grained vinyl, plastic suede and alligator-grained vinyl.

"Beauty just at arm's length. This handsome satchel in lustrous calf-grained plastic reveals an outside hankie pocket edged in gold, and boasts a hammered gold treasure piece as zipper pull. Strand Leather Goods Co."

Half page ad, "Handbag Buyer" June 1949, page 10

The trade news column in the same issue included the announcement of Strand Leather Goods 25th Anniversary. ("Handbag Buyer" June 1949, page 41)

Strand Marks Silver Anniversary

"Strand Leather Goods Co. Inc. celebrated the twenty-fifth anniversary of its incorporation last month with the same trio of original partners still intact.
Samuel Carolin, Louis Levine and Joseph Malino joined forces to organize the firm on April 12, 1924. Originally featuring leather bags, the firm early turned toward new developments in the low-priced field of simulated leathers and since 1930 has specialized in plastics at volume ranges.
At their modest staff festivities, the partners indicated their confidence that the next quarter century would be even better than the first with respect to both quality of product and measure of progress."

The 1950's

Half page ad "Handbags and Fashion Accessories" February 1950, pg. 6

''No. 7982 — Zippered model with smart shoulder strap and clever turnlock PLUS a useful pen and pencil to make SUPER-value! Black, Brown, Red and Green Plastic Calf and Plastic Patent . . . Black''

Categories: Makers