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Who remembers Globe Canvas, makers of the real original messenger bags in New York?
Do you all make any mention, or ever acknowledge the fact that the real original messenger bags were made by a little Italian couple that worked below a Chinese cookie manufacturer down on Mott St. I know because I got my first bag there: from GLOBE CANVAS, on Mott St. a long time ago, and then a second one a few years later....way before Manhattan Portage was around. This is not to say that MP doesn't make great stuff, because you do, I just think it is a little disingenuous to say that it is the original messenger bag, when some of us, whom grew up biking around manhattan, know that it is not.
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Inappropriate?I of course remember the old Italian guy on Mott street. I actually have photos of him holding a messenger bag that he made that I totally wore out. He made the original messenger bags for all NYC messengers for years and years. The first one I got (in 1980) cost $15.00. It was the aqua-blue color which was the color bags the messenger service I worked for (Good Rush) used. I still have one of these bags which I use every day despite it's being in really beat up shape. Does anyone know where I could get my hands on another one of these fine "original" bags?
Karl2 Comments
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demartini was the man's name. he passed on a couple of years ago, not before selling his bag design to MP and his name to an outfit either in nj or connecticut. try demartinibags.com -
Karl, Would like to email you regarding the photos of Frank and your time with Good Rush. I am researching messenger bags. Drop me a note at roy.caldwell@mantech.com. Thanks Roy H. Caldwell
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Inappropriate?Huh. I didn't think of it as being disingenuous. Sounds like splitting hairs to me. I certainly don't expect every product maker to detail the history of their industry. I'm all for authenticity, but everyone borrows when they create new things. I'm okay with that.
I’m creative
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Inappropriate?Yes, the DeMartini's did sell Globe Canvas messenger bags in Chinatown and those were made specifically for Bike Messengers. We were the first messenger bag manufacturer to make our bags out of Cordura, which is a Military grade fabric.
Unfortunately Mr. DeMartini has been retired for nearly a decade, and I do not believe his products are made any longer (I could be wrong, however).
"Original Messenger Bags from NYC" is a tag line of ours, and I do not believe this to be false, as we did provide many firsts. There are a lot of messenger bags companies that have come and gone, and we are one of the few that are still around! -
Inappropriate?Neat. I didn't even know about this slice of New York history, but then again, I live in San Francisco. I'll look around online and see if I can't learn more about the Globe bags. Sounds interesting. Does anyone know where I can see what those bags looked like?
I’m curious
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Inappropriate?demartinibags.com -
Inappropriate?LOL. They call them "original New York bags" and they're located in Connecticut. They look kind of lame. Sorry, but they do. And the Web site is just an image.
I’m not impressed
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Inappropriate?Nothing against Globe Canvas or anything; we worked with them in the past. I'm just not sure currently WHO is making the products right now (I believe it might be my bosses former partner, but I'm not 100% sure).
Their website hasn't changed in YEARS which is why I'm not even sure of their status. -
Inappropriate?whoa. that bag on the dm-bag site is even uglier than the demartini bags.com bags. are they even waxed or lined with polyurethane? no description of any kind.
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Inappropriate?Globe Canvas bags is still in production. One of the few remaining brands that are still manufacture in the US. The brand and their root was founded in NYC in 1946. the above user is wrong as the site provided description and pictures.1 Comment Add a comment
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my apologies. i retract my statement about there being no description. still an ugly bag though.
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