Civil War Carpet Bag / SOLD

Civil War Carpet Bag - Inventory Number: PER 079 / SOLD

Handsome, original, mid-nineteenth century traveling handbag or luggage case often referred to as a ‘carpetbag.’ During the Reconstruction Era after the Civil War, Northerners who ventured South in search of profit and political opportunity carried their personal goods and belongings in carpetbags and were derisively called carpetbaggers by the locals.

Constructed of colorful pieces of rug carpeting with a pleasing floral design, the bag appears to be the hooked-rug type of construction. The lockable, carry handbag has a clamshell style closure with a pair of leather carry handles (one piece on the rear is detached but present).  Brass lock mechanism is marked: Matthews and Hunt 35 Dey St. New York.  When closed, the bag measures 15” long x 20” wide. Exterior bottom of the bag expands to 5” wide.  Entire bag interior is lined with a cotton material with owners initials in ink on a metal articulating frame with secondary compartment. Lining is in good overall condition. Base of bag is tooled oilcloth with brass trunk feet. 

Inventory Number: PER 079 / SOLD