Location August 1936:

Gold Seal Importers, Inc.
Maker of Bags by Josef BagsByJosef
30 East 33rd Street
New York

This Saks Fifth Avenue Ad, featuring the folding opera, was featured on page 46 of the December issue of Luggage & Leather Goods. "AN OPERA BAG THAT FOLDS UP. A new model for evening from Gold Seal Importers, Inc."

In 1936, Gold Seal Importers sold both items imported from the design centers of Europe and bags made in the US. Retail prices ranged from $2.95 to $50, corrected for inflation by 1262% since 1936 translates to $37.29 to $631 in 2005 dollars.

E00051: Victorian Tea is back and this is the perfect bag. The front is embellished with dainty floral petit point in silk on a black silk background. The spherical metal filigree latches open to a spotless black moiré interior with a single open pocket. The lining is marked Golden Seal Germany dating the bag c.l930. Simply exquisite. Measures 7 1/2 x 1 1/2 x 5 1/4 inches. Sold for $45 in 2005 at The Bag Lady Emporium

The 1940s

The connection between Bag by Josef BagsByJosef and Gold Seal Importers is indicated in the August 1942 "Luggage & Leather Goods," page 34. "Piece-de-resistance in color is the luscious new "Spat Beige" ... a medium beige with a pinky cast. In superb English suede, there are hats, bags and gloves. This new neutral is an excellent accent color with brown, black, blue, red or wine shades, or green."

Color and leather match-mates! "Spat Beige" featured in finest English suede. The hat, a pompadour derby, worn posed on the head behind bangs or pompadour, is from Schoen Hats. Josef bag in a soft underarm with exquisite lucite and shell frame. A popular style in the line of Gold Seal Importers. Matching glove is Andre David's silhouette pull-on in 9-button length. A dressy ensemble for afternoon through evening.

The 1950s

Gold Seal expanding

"Gold Seal Importers, Inc., makers of bags by Josef, have taken an additional floor in the building at 30 East 33rd Street, New York. Formerly the firm occupied the sixth floor, but as of September 1st it is also occupying the seventh floor.
Showrooms and offices on the sixth floor have been enlarged and redecorated to service buyers without undue delay. The seventh floor is devoted to a modern shipping plant, insuring prompt service on orders for all accounts of the firm." "Handbags & Accessories" October 1955, page 38

J.J Newman designer?

Categories: Makers