Club Obi Wan

I always thought that the coolest piece of gear in the trilogy was the big travel bag that Indy carries in Temple of Doom. It can be seen on the plane, and later it hangs around the neck of Shorty's elephant. Does anyone have any info about this item? I own a very similar bag by Picard, made from water buffalo.

I had one in my hand just yesterday in an antique store in Kingston, TN, but the leather was so shot, it was even beyond the help of Pecards, and THAT'S saying something! Rats. Regards. Michaelson

I am interested - I must say I never noticed it before. I will have to start paying more attention.

Ken

I was rather surprised not to find any info or a single post about this item, cause it is such a neat-looking piece of gear. I'll try and get a picture taken of my own bag and post it.

I think it's called a "Gladstone" bag. Some times called a "Dr's bag". I bought a nice leather one at a Marshal's store about a year ago. I also made a cool luggage tag to go on it. It has a picture of a Ford Tri-Motor airplane and says....Fly Lao Che Air Frieght-Inda-China-Burma.
Regards,
Forrestal

Are they also called "carpet bag"? I have seen this type of bag during many treks to antique malls and shops. If it is the stye that I am thinking of, isn't it covered with a heavy printed material with rounded leather loop handles? Michaelson, is this the type that you are referring to? Regards,Williamson.

Someone needs to post a photo. I am dying to see what it looks like.

I think the carpet bag is called that because it is in fact made with a heavy carpet type material. However, unless I am mistaken, the one Indy has in ToD is made of brown leather, and is not a carpet bag.
I think I remember that Sergi of our group, collects Gladestone bags and might be able to post some pictures.
Just my $0.02.
Regards,
Forrestal

Here's the one at Swaine Adeney Briggs:

They call it a Gladstone.

This is a black leather valise or satchel that I won on ebay. I decoupaged the copies of vintage airline stickers to it.

Those are two very nice bags. Thanks for posting the pics.
They are very similar to the bag Indy's father had in TLC, with his umbrella wedged into the straps under the handles.

This is my trusty old water buffalo travel bag, which I bought new fourteen years ago and has used a LOT. It's quite similar to the one Indy has in Temple of Doom, except his is a lot darker and dirtier and has studs in the corners underneath.
This bag has been subjected to a lot of abuse, and has held up remarkably well. The hide is actually a lot lighter, I've waxed it to give it a more worn look. The hat is my crappy old IFC hat, which is on its last leg. I'll order a Fed Deluxe as soon as my next paycheck arrives...

the term carpet baggers was started after the civil war. People from the northern states were sent to the south and put into positions of authority to make sure things went smoothly. It common at the time to peel up the carpet in a house and bag bags from it when you moved. When they were moving in the people of the town saw the bags and started the name as a term to refer to yankees who were moving south.

At least that is the way I heard it

I was recently watching a PBS special regarding reconstruction after the War, and apparently the term was first used in the Atlanta legislature when describing a then seated member of that house who had settled in the area immediately after the conflict, and had originally been from the North. He had even served as a Union officier, and yet, as a local citizen, was elected BY the local electorate (not appointed by the Radical Republican Congress then in power in Washington) to the Georgia legislature. He got embroiled in a debate regarding the expulsion of the first African American representatives then seated in the House, with him supporting them staying in their seats, and was described by newpaper men who covered the controversy as 'that D--ned Yankee Carpebagger', due to the fact he carried his legal papers in a valice made from carpet material. The term stuck, and was (and still IS) used in describing what JP posted. I'm sure there are more 'official' stories of how the term began than a dog has fleas, but that's how PBS reported it a couple weeks ago. Now you know MORE than you probably ever wanted to know about the term. Regards. Michaelson

Michaelson wrote:Now you know MORE than you probably ever wanted to know about the term. Regards. Michaelson

I do, and I'm a HISTORY teacher! Really, that was a new one on me, as that is the first time I have a read an origin of "carpetbagger". I find it interesting that I still hear that term today. My father uses it, in not as much of a derogatory manner, describing a Northern company moving in and "taking over".

Thanks Michaelson! Ahh PBS (and the History Channel), it's like food for the brain. (Ok, yes, I am a history geek).

Peace,
Cliffhanger

Yep, they keep turning over new rocks, and this stuff keeps crawling out. (grins) I'm with you there, my friend, on choice of channels to watch!!! Regards. Michaelson

I've sweeped the Web for a publicity still or a screenshot from Temple where you can see Indy's bag clearly, but couldn't find any. It would be cool if someone could take a screenshot and post it.
BTW, is the photo of MY bag visible to anyone but me?

I see it just fine, and kinda of wish I couldn't! That's one fine piece of luggage, my friend! Regards. Michaelson

I was looking through pictures of TofD and saw this, thought you guys might be interested.

Yup, that's the bag. Thanks, Trevelyan!
Is it just me, or is the distressing on that bag a tad overdone? Exactly how much does Indy travel? I've used mine extensively for fourteen years, and it doesn't even come close...
It would be nice to know where the bag came from, whether it was picked up in a thrift shop or made by the props department.

gobo wrote:Yup, that's the bag. Thanks, Trevelyan!
Is it just me, or is the distressing on that bag a tad overdone? Exactly how much does Indy travel? I've used mine extensively for fourteen years, and it doesn't even come close...
It would be nice to know where the bag came from, whether it was picked up in a thrift shop or made by the props department.

I think we can assume that Indy's travels are a bit more adventurous than yours (Of course I don't know you and you might be a real life version of Indy).
I think it's supposed to convey the idea that it's been used a lot under though circumstances.

I guess you're right. I never jumped out of an airplane with my bag, and it never dangled around an elephant's neck, for that matter... It has been to twelve different countries, though. Although I'd like to think I'm a real life version of Indy (don't we all?), I think Ignatius J. Reilly is closer to the mark...

gobo wrote:Exactly how much does Indy travel?

Well, considering his bag is a 1942(ish) bag, he must have done some time traveling!