An antic red handmade leather briefcase decorated with gold tone hardware by Etienne Aigner.  The outside of the briefcase has a single open satin-lined pocket in the front and gold tone hardware throughout.  The case is accessed with a brass zipper to reveal a leather-lined central compartment.  The Etienne Aigner horseshoe gold tone medallion is affixed to the front.  The bag measures 15" across, 11 3/4" tall, with an additional 4" when factoring in the height of the double handles.  Despite its age, the bag is in good condition, but with areas of wear common with age and use.

Etienne Aigner of New York

From Wikipedia:  Etienne Aigner was born in Hungary in 1904.  First a bookbinder, he started creating high-end leather goods such as handbags and belts for boutiques in Paris.  In 1950, after apprenticing with Christian Dior and Cristobal Balenciaga, he came to New York to expand his business.  The brand's signature color is called "Antic Red" and the Aigner logo is the letter "A" shaped into a horseshoe.  "AIGNER gave its products a rural, countrystyle feel. There was always a sense of the racecourse, a feeling of being by the fireside. A phenomenon that can still be felt today" (quote source:  www.aignermunich.com).  Mr. Aigner died in New York City in 2000 at the age of 96.

Caring for A Leather Handbag

• A general maintenance cleaning involves mixing a small amount of mild liquid dish soap (a couple drops in 8 ounces of water) with warm water and a soft microfiber cloth.  Ring out the cloth and wipe the purse following the grain of the leather and finish with a final wipe with a new clean damp cloth.  Always spot test a small area before cleaning.  Do not use saddle soap, bleach, vinegar, or ammonia.  Any specialty cleaners should match the type of handbag material. For example, a leather bag cleaner will not be as effective on suede as much as a specialty suede cleaner would be.    
• Keep bag stuffed while not using it to maintain shape, and store in a dust bag or old pillow case.
• To remove musty odors, place an open box of baking soda inside the bag and wrap in a pillowcase overnight.
• Beeswax can be used to lubricate zippers for a smoother glide.