Description: As an expat Englishman living in America, I have always respected and admired the Ghurka brand. Not merely because it is named after our finest Nepali-born soldiers who have served faithfully in the British army for near two-centuries, but because the beginning of Ghurka is rooted in English craftsmanship. Mr. Hodgson, who founded Ghurka, is an American who founded his company in America. However, despite this fact his inspiration for the brand actually began during a trip to England. According to Mr. Hodgson, while at auction in England, he came across a (vintage) colonial officer's travel bag. His description was scant but from his brief detailing of it would appear to have been from the waning decades of the colonial period - possibly in the Indian fashion of the far-east. The leather and craftsmanship of these bags was exceptional. The tanneries of old England were renowned for creating the finest leather goods in the world. Today the army outsources their contracts to the lowest bidder, and the officers and soldiers suffer the consequences. However, the height of Empire coincided with the height of excellent craftsmanship, and the gentlemen officers (and indeed their men) received the finest English-made goods in the world. The officers (of course) got the cream, as they still often do, and so their bags and accoutrements in particular were often of the most exquisite quality - not by military standards, but by the standards of civilian manufacturing, too. Only the best would suffice for the colonial service. Therefore, it is of no surprise to me that Mr. Hodgson, perusing an auction house in England in the 1970's, was taken-back by the quality leather he saw and purchased from this period. Although much of the tanning industry and leather-making factories in England are gone, Mr. Hodgson kept their spirit alive with Ghurka. Having acquired the tanning formula in England from the descendants of esteemed craftsmen, Mr. Hodgson was able to bring the formula back to America and work that quality into his own line of products. Ghurka was born and decades later that quality still endures. This particular vintage Ghurka bag, a Marley Hodgson #93 Safari crossbody messenger bag to be precise, is a must-have for any gentleman who respects the craftsmanship of a by-gone time. These bags are simply built on a generational timeframe. You are meant to pass them to your grandson, and likely another generation or two beyond that. That is the simple truth of it and there is no better way to describe their durability and quality. There are few, if any, modern factories or companies capable of matching it. I have taken extensive photographs of the bag in natural light. I prefer this to studio lighting as it shows the bag off in a natural setting, one which will be replicated in your own home. Please work through all the pictures and admire the craftsmanship. Naturally, at 33 years old there is some ware on parts of the leather, particularly around the trim. For me this adds character and gives something towards the patina, and I doubt I am alone in that. There are two marks - one a very faint scratch-like mark, and the other a tiny stain - that I have highlighted in the pictures. They are extremely faint and barely noticeable but I wanted to make them visible for you. If you have any questions, please reach out to me. Cheers.
Price: 425 USD
Location: Alexandria, Virginia
End Time: 2024-12-20T13:47:21.000Z
Shipping Cost: 25 USD
Product Images
Item Specifics
All returns accepted: ReturnsNotAccepted
Bag Width: 16.5 inches, 42 cm
Closure: Flap brass and leather tab
Occasion: Business, Casual, Formal, Travel, Workwear
Size: Large
MPN: Does not apply
Year Manufactured: 1990-1999
Bag Depth: 6 inches, 15.2 cm
Fabric Type: Canvas
Vintage: Yes
Personalize: No
Department: Men
Style: Crossbody Messenger
Features: Adjustable Strap, Bottle Pocket, Cross-Body Strap, Eco Friendly, Inner Dividers, Inner Pockets, Lightweight, Lined, Mobile Phone Pocket, Organizer, Outer Pockets, Pockets
Handmade: Yes
Pattern: Safari
Bag Height: 10 inches, 25.4 cm
Character: Safari
Manufacturer Color: Khaki & British tab
Handle Style: Crossbody Strap
Lining Material: Canvas
Color: Khaki & British Tan
Material: Canvas, Leather
Brand: Ghurka Marley Hodgson
Hardware Material: Brass
Model: No 93 Safari
Theme: Safari
Country/Region of Manufacture: United States
Handle/Strap Material: Leather
Character Family: Safari
Product Line: Khaki Twill
Personalization Instructions: na
