Skip to main content

Samsonite Corporation (1910-1973)

 Organization

Biography

The Shwayder family of Denver, Colorado is best known for what became the world-famous luggage company Samsonite Corporation, which was founded and operated by the Shwayder family. In 1910, Jesse Shwayder opened a small luggage factory in Denver with his father, Isaac, and brothers, Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon. In the year before opening the factory, Jesse worked as a salesman for the Seward Luggage New York City. The business became incorporated as the Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company in 1912, and it eventually changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. All the Shwayder brothers held executive positions in the company in the 1920s. Jesse was the company's president, Mark Shwayder directed sales, Maurice and Ben Shwayder oversaw manufacturing, and Solomon Shwayder served as the company’s lawyer. Samson, after Jesse's favorite biblical hero, was the first trade name for the company’s luggage, and this was later changed to Samsonite. Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company started to diversify its product offerings in the 1930s by manufacturing folding furniture, and the company changed its name to Shwayder Brothers, Inc. in 1931. As sales increased throughout the 20th century, the company moved into gradually larger facilities in Denver, and at various stages in the business’ history, it opened additional plants in Michigan, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Arizona, Mexico, and Japan. In 1961, Jesse Shwayder’s son, King D. Shwayder, became president of the company, and in 1965 the Shwayder Brothers, Inc., changed its name to Samsonite Corporation. The Shwayders sold the Samsonite Corporation in 1973.

Found in 18 Collections and/or Records:

Portrait of Jesse Shwayder, circa 1929

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00039
Abstract

Formal portrait of Jesse Shwayder standing with his hands in his pockets. In the early 1900s, Jesse Shwayder opened a small luggage factor in Denver with his father, Isaac, and brothers Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon. Together they turned it into one of the largest luggage producers in America, the Samsonite Corporation.

Dates: circa 1929

Portrait of Maurice B. Shwayder, between 1920-1930

 Item
Identifier: B063.08.0033.0005.00001
Abstract

Formal portrait of Maurice B. Shwayder standing in a suit. Maurice Shwayder helped found the Samonsite Luggage Company with his four brothers. He was also active in the founding of General Rose Memorial Hospital.

Dates: between 1920-1930

Samsonite Corporation Materials, circa 1968

 File
Identifier: B245.01.0001.0001
Scope and Contents From the Series: The series consists of materials associated with Samsonite Corporation and its history. Materials include two copies of the brochure, "The Samsonite Story," a company history published by Samsonite Corporation, ''The Samsonite Sentinel,'' a one-page newspaper composite about the founding of the company, the book "Jesse Shwayder and the Golden Rule" created by Shwayder Bros, Inc., and Jessie Shwayder's Golden Rule Marble: a green glass marble with bronze-colored narrow strip around the...
Dates: circa 1968

Shwayder Family Papers and Samsonite Corporation Records

 Collection
Identifier: B245
Abstract The Shwayder family of Denver, Colorado, is best known for the luggage company Samsonite Corporation, which the family founded and operated. Isaac and Rachel Shwayder had migrated from Manchester, England to Colorado in 1881 and eventually settled in Denver. In 1910 their son, Jesse Shwayder, opened a small luggage factory in Denver with his father along with his brothers Mark, Maurice, Benjamin, and Solomon Shwayder. The company started as Shwayder Trunk Manufacturing Company, was later...
Dates: 1896-2002

The Samsonite Story, circa 1968

 Item
Identifier: B245.01.0001.0001.00001
Abstract

Brochure providing information about the Samsonite Corporation's history and the progress and evolution of the company, from 1910 to the 1974. It appears to be an early version of the brochure. sion).

Dates: circa 1968

The Samsonite Story with Glossy Cover, circa 1968

 Item
Identifier: B245.01.0001.0001.00002
Abstract

Brochure providing information about the Samsonite Corporation's history and the progress and evolution of the company, from 1910 to 1973. It appears to be the final version of the brochure (the other item in the folder appears to be an early version).

Dates: circa 1968

The Shwayder Brothers Standing on a Samsonite Suitcase, circa 1910

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0001.00018
Abstract

The five Shwayder brothers stand on a board that is balanced on a Samsonite suitcase to demonstrate the strength of the suitcase. Jesse Shwayder is pictured second from the right. Other Shwayder brothers are: Mark, Maurice, Benjamin and Solomon. The Shwayder brothers owned Shwayder Trunk Company, which later became known as the Samsonite Corporation. The photograph was used to advertise Samsonite luggage.

Dates: circa 1910

The Shwayder Brothers Standing on a Samsonite Suitcase, circa 1910

 Item
Identifier: B063.01.0009.00002
Abstract

The five Shwayder brothers stand on a board that is balanced on a Samsonite suitcase to demonstrate the strength of the suitcase. Jesse Shwayder is pictured second from the right. Other Shwayder brothers are: Mark, Maurice, Benjamin and Solomon. The Shwayder brothers owned Shwayder Trunk Company, which later became known as the Samsonite Corporation. The photograph was used to advertise Samsonite luggage.

Dates: circa 1910

Additional filters:

Type
Archival Object 17
Collection 1
 
Subject
Jewish businesspeople 11
Colorado 10
Jews 10
Denver (Colo.) 8
Industrialists 5