Leather, Colombia's Unheralded Export

One of the unexpected surprises awaiting the visitor in Cartagena is the quality of the leather products. It is curious that Colombia’s leather gets so little exposure, considering that it rates with the finest in the world. These items have been a major export product for over thirty years, and are being increasingly featured by the best-known merchandisers in the U.S., Europe and the Far East.

The country’s great livestock industry is the cornerstone of the business, for it provides an ample supply of leather of all types. The days are rapidly passing when the cowboys or llaneros of the eastern plains treat their cattle carelessly and damage their hides with rough treatment. The first secret of good leather lies in securing undamaged hides, and the extra price of these hides has caught cattlemen’s attention. Tanning facilities are available for either the chrome or vegetable-tanning process. The former produces the soft and flexible glove leather for your best handbags and wallets; the latter provides thicker, stiffer leathers suitable for luggage and surfaces appropriate for hand tooling.

A one-stop leather shop you can count on for better quality items of all types is located in the upstairs plaza of the Pierino Gallo Shopping Center. Known as Bag & Baggage Ltd., it has a variety of leather items for both men and women.

Ladies’ handbags are to be had in a wide range, from very elegant evening bags to practical well-made bags designed to give years of service. Small leather items such as belts, makeup holders and wallets are also available. For men there are attaché cases, ditty bags and wallets.

The Land Leather Collection is available exclusively at Bag & Baggage. This line now includes not only world-renowned luggage and carryons, but all manner of handbags and other items.

 Don’t pass up the opportunity for the best in leather goods at the lowest prices.