alligator card case vintage

  
I’m a big fan of vintage leather goods. There’s nothing like a real, century-old patina on alligator or bridle leather; plus silver or brass hardware that you can let tarnish or keep polished and shiny. 

Over the years I have bought a Louis Vuitton Alzer briefcase, a crocodile suitcase, and an innovative fold-up portfolio. My favourite, however, is probably my first purchase – this alligator cigar case. 

It is my favourite for two main reasons: because it was the first, and because it gets used more than any of the others. The Alzer is pretty heavy (blame the brass and all those nails) and the suitcase can really only travel by car. This cigar case, on the other hand, perfectly fits an iPhone 4 or iPhone 5. For the past five years, I have had one then the other. 

The iPhone 5 is of course thinner than the iPhone 4, but the silver collar is flexible enough to be bent a touch inwards or outwards to hold whatever it contains. And as the other half slips inside, it can accommodate a wide variety of heights.

Given how much I use my phone, the thing is taken apart and put together again repeatedly. But when all I have to carry is that phone and perhaps a credit card, it becomes effectively the smallest (and perhaps most beautiful) day bag in the world.  
  

alligator card case

  
The case itself is made of alligator with (unusually) red stitching around the outside. It would have been used for cheroots and smaller cigars, popular around the turn of the last century.

The stamp and hallmarks allow us to get a pretty good of idea of when it was made and by whom. The ‘LB’ is probably the retail stamp of the maker; on the right-hand side there is also a diamond with three ‘Bs’ in it, which would have been his hallmark. If they had been the customer’s initials, they would likely have been engraved rather than stamped.

Looking up the LB, including the serif style and the position of the period, it appears to have been made by Louis Bloomfield, a maker who was linked to cigar importers Hunters & Frankau (they had the exclusive right to import Cuban cigars for a period).

The other hallmarks are an anchor (assayed in Birmingham), a lion (sterling silver) and, between them, a letter indicating the date. Unfortunately this letter has been worn away, but the shape of the anchor and lion narrows down the period to 1890-1899. (The designs of the hallmarks were changed every time the letters had to begin at the beginning of the alphabet again, and the square shape of the border narrows down the letters.)

alligator card case bespoke

  
This case is from Bentleys, the fantastic London shop run by Tim Bent. They have recently moved, from Walton Street (which is becoming, like so much of London, just another parade of women’s designed brands) to Lower Sloane Street. When I was in this week they were still putting the finishing touches to the new store, but it should be open soon.

Of course, being in London Bentleys is expensive (a case like this would be £400). But I’ve always preferred to shop there with Tim, Julian and the team because the selection is so good. I’ve done my time hiking around regional antiques stores and there’s normally at least one thing I like, but it’s not quite right (usually damaged).  

With that relationship comes great service. It was only this week that I thought to bring in this case and have Tim look up the hallmarks. And I know if anything ever went wrong with my suitcase or anything else, he’d always give free advice, and recommend a great repairs service.
 

alligator card case2

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Lorenzo Villa

Good morning Simon,
very nice piece !
One question : what do you use for alligator/crocodile maintenance ? What procedure ? I’ve a nice wallet and I want to do my best for the care.
Thank you !

Lorenzo Villa

Thank you ! I wait it.

Lorenzo Villa

Thank you again !
I’ll go buy it.

facebook_Tim De Rosen.10153020919771711

We recommend Reptan from Saphir on our Bianca Mosca products. It’s available from various sources online.

Bradley

Lovely to own a piece of history Simon but i am surprised that you did not mention your pochette from Dunhill which you raved about years ago. This for me is also an icon and the patina that had developed on it was simply gorgeous. I have always coveted this simple piece of leather hold-all!
Bradley

Mac

Simon, modern objects seem to be made with far less detail and craftsmanship as those of the past. One only has to walk through Burlington Arcade (or what’s left of it) to see exquisitely-crafted objects that make everything that’s modern look dull by comparison.

A simple cigarette case or letter opener by Carl Faberge was elevated by its exquisite beauty and craftsmanship. I love how everyday objects used to be made with such skill and detail, even if not to the level of Faberge. Ultimately, the craftsmen react to the demand of their clients. Faberge was pushed further by discerning Royal patrons. It scares me to think what the nouveaux riches are ordering nowadays.

Charlie

Out of curiosity, what are the approximate dimensions of the case? I am just trying to imagine how you wear it on your person. Jacket (internal) breast pocket?
I have trouble carrying things like a case for my phone without ruining the line of my jacket. I put my card and cash in a money clip in my trouser (back) pocket. Caseless phone on breast pocket.. And do my best to only carry a single key with no fob. But I still feel weighed down, particularly if I do not wear a jacket!!

Mac

Simon, if you’re cycling or carrying luggage, say, what do you do with your phone? Difficult to carry in the hand.

I must say that so many jkts these days are cut too tight in the chest. No drape at all which means no space for a phone or wallet. Crazy!

Mac

That’s funny, Simon! I personally prefer to put the phone pkt below the inbreast and towards the back of it. The chest, being usually prominant, curves outwards. Not the best place to put a large rectangular object. The ribs area is more recessed below the chest. Works very well if you have a normal amount of drape. A&S traditionally have more than the usual drape so I’m sure the high pkt works for them.

Chassidy

You’re on top of the game. Thanks for shnraig.

twitter_rebron

I’m not into cases for phones or alligator skin but what you’ve got there is really nice.

twitter_henry_cromwell

Great post today Simon. can you imagine if Louis Bloomfield were alive today and saw his case being used to carry an iphone? Do you believe Dunhill products from today can last over a century like this Louis Bloomfield case?

David Craggs

I find the whole subject of ‘accessories’ interesting.
Over the years I’ve run the gamut and have been tempted by every type of nonsense known to man. Ultimately I have come to the conclusion that the essence of real style lies in the sort of uncluttered simplicity demonstrated by the likes of Bill Nighy, Alain Delon or say Bryan Ferry.
Of course a man needs to pocket some basics to get by: a good pen, credit card holder, money clip, iPhone (naked), car key. The rest is just fluff and although many items can and are beautiful in isolation. Bring them into your world and they are just clutter.
The only jewellery I wear is a watch and my wedding ring.
I don’t like pocket squares, boutonnieres, bracelets, tie pins or the like. They are all just distractions and come across as affectations.
If I go to town, I take my bag that contains my papers, book and a very nice collapsable umbrella.
Indeed, one of the reasons I gave up smoking was that I hated carrying cigarettes and lighter. A sartorial decision that may have saved or extended my life!
Less is definitely more.

Dachshund

That’s a noble ambition, and one I would love to be able to fulfil, but there is so much good ‘stuff’ around. I am certainly no dandy, but I do like to have a range of nice things, and they do add up. I’ll bet if you took a look around Bill Nighy’s place he’d have a lot of stuff, probably exquisitely stored, and all looking much the same. I have often seen Stuart Rose around town – always well dressed, but always wearing seemingly the same thing. I then saw his house profiled in House and Garden – wardrobe full of identical suits and shirts! So there is an art to simplicity and I suspect it involves more than one would imagine.

John

Hi Simon,
This is a nice post! Personally, I prefer alligator leather for items such as wallets.
John

Dachshund

That’s really beautiful. Wonderful patina and, I bet, smell. Very tactile looking.

Dennis Girard

Saphir Reptan will condition alligator.

Iero Bik

I know that’s a really old post Simon, but as it happens I recently bought myself a very similar case.

I wanted to use it for carrying my cigars around, but the vintage leather smell from the lining is very intense unfortunately.

I filled it with baking soda twice and left it for around 24 hours each time, but not much changed I am afraid. Any recommendations gratefully received!

Best

IEB

david rl fan

Hi Iero Bik, I just looked on google, two weeks out open on a balcony and/or a silica bag/ silica gels, but I’ve not tried this personally. Baking soda was also mentioned but is not put directly in the bag and more time should be given.

“Alternatively, you could fill a clean sock with baking soda and tie it to close, and then place it with your bag (not touching each other) in a large air-tight container or even a resealable plastic bag if you prefer. Leave for 24 hours, then remove your bag and check it for any remaining musty smells. Repeat the process if needed” from

https://teddysinclair.com/blogs/news/how-to-get-a-musty-smell-out-of-a-leather-bag

Sorry I cannot help more, maybe you will provide an update? Simon’s advice to ask an expert too sounds good.