Location June 1961:

Lesco Ltd.
1 East 33rd St.
New York City

Lesco Ltd. exhibited at the Fashion Flair 1947FashionFair, June 12, 1947 at Madison Square Garden. "Handbags Illustrated" July 1947 page 56

The 1950s

"Casual Accessories for the Easter Parade" were highlighted in the February 1950 issue of "Handbags and Fashion Accessories," pages 42-43

"NEW VERSION of Lesco's un-lined leather feed bag with outside pocket. Leather and hand crocheted glove by Kislav. Glentex striped crepe scarf. Navy calf belt with red tabs from Midtown. Bonnet box bracelet from Stevaru."

Burt Rothschild Joins Lesco

"Burt Rothschild has been appointed exclusive representative for Lesco handbags, including their Bond Street small leather goods line, in the South and Southwest. He was formerly with Peerless Handbags PeerlessHandbagCo."
HANDBAGS column of the February 1950 issue of "Handbags and Fashion Accessories," page 72

Lesco offers pearlized lizard bags

"A new note for resort and spring is the pearlized lizard in such delicate shades as yellow, pale blue and pink, or white. Lesco Ltd. is using this in several medium sized leather lined pouch bags and two fabric lined clutch styles. These are simple classic bags for which Lesco is known.

Matisse Calcutta lizard is used in similar bags. Colors, however, are more vibrant and include red, green, yellow, blue, purple and pink. Noteworthy in this group is an oblong box clutch to sell around $18.50 retail." (January 1955 Handbags & Accessories, page 42)

Bags for Spring 1956 were presented on January 3, 1956 by agreement as a member of the National Authority for the Ladies Handbag Industry. 1956NationalAuthorityMembers

The 1960s
As a 1960 member of the National Authority for the Ladies Handbag Industry, Lesco, Ltd. introduced their Spring line on January 4, 1960. 1960NationalAuthorityMembers

Location June 1961

Lesco Lona
136 Madison Ave.
New York 16, N.Y.

The merger of Lesco and Lona to form Lesco Lona is heralded in this full page ad on page 2 of "Handbags & Accessories" June 1961.

The trade news article on page 52 of the June issue further elaborates on the merger.

Lesco and Lona Merger For More Solid Contribution

"Two leading handbag manufacturers, Lesco Ltd., and Lona have merged to manufacture now under the name of Lesco Lona, with executive offices and showroom at 136 Madison Avenue, New York. First signs of the new concept of this combination in handbag merchandising may be viewed at the firm's first showing, June 5.
Lou Nathan, formerly president of Lona, a company he founded some two years ago, will act as secretary and treasurer of the new firm. Mr. Nathan has been associated with the handbag and leather industry going back to early school days in Offenbach, Germany, and later as top handbag designer for leading firms in the United States.

OFFICERS of the newly formed company Lesco Lona, a merger of the former Lesco, Ltd., and Lona Handbags. Leo Sternberg, center, is president. Lou Nathan, right, is secretary-treasurer; and Bernard Sternberg, standing, is vice president in charge of sales.

The enlarged organization will permit concentration in areas which require it; greater division of labor and skills for improved service, merchandising, styling and manufacture. Bernard Sternberg, vice president of the firm, will serve as sales manager; the same position he held at Lesco, Ltd., for the past twenty-five years. He is regarded as one of the best known and most industrious sales managers in the business today. The entire sales staff of Lesco, Ltd., will function in the same capacity in the new firm of Lesco Lona.

Alligator styles by various makers for Fall 1961 were highlighted on page 30 of the June 1961 issue of "Handbags & Accessories," including this example by Lesco Lona.

"What looks like the finest baby alligator is really imprinted calf shown at Lesco Lona, 136 Madison Ave. The rounded satchel has tab detail. "

Several pages later, on page 33, Leather styles by various makers for Fall 1961 were highlighted. (June 1961 issue of "Handbags & Accessories) This example by Lesco Lona features a unique carved wood handle.

"The polished wooden handle with horizontal grain blends with the luster of this large handbag with trapunto trim by Lesco Lona, 136 Madison Ave."

The HANDBAG BRIEFS column on page 53, observed:

"Lesco-Lona heralds the fall in stylish leather satchels, pouches, totes and east-wests. Medium to large frames in muted fall shades of brown, tan, otter, curry, green, and grey in textured, antiqued and lustered leathers are prevalent throughout the collection. Wooden handles polished to a luster-ous finish in modern lines complement the tailored perfection of several east-west and deep handbags. A youthful looking four pocket tote bag looks good. Detailed linings in leather and fabric add to the high quality of this line. Showroom located at 136 Madison Ave."

Whoever wrote this item on Page 54 of the same June 1961 issue must have missed the merger memo!

"Alligator in all its sleek elegance is found in the bag line at Lesco Ltd., 1 E. 33rd St. Varied styles in both black and brown will retail from $25. to approximately $200. Tall satchels and smaller models with a minimum of detail have slim lines, yet roomy interiors. An innovation at Lesco is alligator-calf. A very fine quality leather is imprinted with an alligator grain and the handbags look like the best baby alligator. The available colors are black, brown and alabaster. The styles are small and medium size satchels; both slim and barrel, oval and square. Each bag has some pretty tab or gold-finish detail.
The Lesco back-to-school line is very young and cute. The bags are made of black or bone jute and trimmed in cowhide. All shapes are represented in various sizes. The most exciting aspect of these bags is the price— only $4.98 retail. Another line to sell for $2.95 is made of hemp which is prettily brush printed in the newest fall shades on brown or black grounds."

Makers