Vintage handbag, suitcase, and school bag

Friends, I'd like to present to you several items I found in the attic of my house. Due to frequent shelling, the attic is already damaged. We're lucky the house didn't burn down. We're preparing to evacuate, so my offer is more like a charity auction than an antiques sale. So, please set your own price.

First Lot

An elegant women's handbag with a working clasp but worn short handles. This women's handbag is hand-carried only. There's no long shoulder strap. The interior has one compartment, but there's a small feature. A small pouch is sewn inside the bag, allowing a woman to conceal items stored at the very bottom. The bag is likely made of imitation leather. But I'm not sure. It could be leather or some other material.

Women's handbag dimensions: Length 11.81 inches (30 cm). Height 8.66 inches (22 cm). Width 4.72 inches (12 cm). Weight 1.82 pounds (830 grams).

Some metal parts of the bag are rusty. But the label inside is perfectly preserved. It states the year of manufacture: 1976! The bag was made in Soviet Ukraine (the USSR existed at the time). The manufacturer of the bag is the Avdiivka Production Association, located in Avdiivka, Donetsk Oblast. Last year, the Russians captured the city. Now there are only ruins. Of course, the factory itself is no longer there.

 

Second lot

A suitcase from our grandparents' time. It dates back to the mid-20th century. The exact date of manufacture is unknown. An antique suitcase was found in the attic of the house we bought. The suitcase is made using traditional techniques. It has a wooden frame and plywood walls. The interior is lined with fabric. The exterior appears to be made of imitation leather.

Dimensions of the antique suitcase. Length: 23.66 inches (60 cm). Height: 13.77 inches (35 cm). Width: 7 inches (18 cm). Weight: 5.5 pounds (2.5 kg).

The original metal locks still work. The latches slide easily to the edge of the suitcase, and the locks open with a clanking sound. The handle is comfortable, with a knurled texture. However, some of the metal parts are rusty. There's also some damage on one side of the suitcase.

 

Third lot

A school bag of a student who didn't know what the internet was This schoolbag was most likely made in the 1970s or 1980s. It's made of faux leather. Produced on the territory of the USSR. Nostalgia for the Soviet school.

The schoolbag can only be carried by hand. There's no long shoulder strap. The clasp works. A reflective element is built into the top of the clasp. This is designed to help drivers see the students at night in the headlights of cars.

Schoolbag dimensions: Height: 12.2 inches (31 cm). Length: 11.81 inches (30 cm). Width: 7.08 inches (18 cm). Weight: 1.7 pounds (773 grams).

There are three compartments inside. There is some wear.But the student's grade book is missing.

 

Please stay safe. Hoping for the best for you and your loved ones.

 

Evacuate? I thought you introduced yourself as now in th USA?

I think I've missed something.

 

I work as a journalist in the war zone in Ukraine, but all my employers are in the United States. My company is registered in the United States, and I pay taxes to the US government. Therefore, mentally, financially, and legally, I am tied to the United States and represent the interests of the American people in the thick of events in Ukraine. But my entire previous life was spent in Ukraine, and now it will be consumed by the fires of war. Two US newspapers write about my daily life in the war zone: The Saint Magazine (Florida) and Red Hook Daily Catch (New York). But my main work is military and political analysis for specialized publications, such as RealClearDefense (Washington).

 

Thank you for your kind wishes. You are very nice to talk to. It is a pleasure to talk to you.

 

Ah, I see, very complicated and dedicated of you.

Please stay safe and, hopefully, forever free.

 

Thank you so much! The forum has become a great place to take my mind off the war. There are many pleasant people here, and you are one of them. Have a nice day!

 

Good luck. Be safe. I believe Russia needs a Time Out

 

Sounds like very brave and important work that you are doing. To help let the rest of world know of the terrible realities of war.

All the best to you and your family. God speed!!

“The Saint Magazine is a hyper-local lifestyle and community publication based in St. Augustine, Florida. It features a recurring section titled "Pavel's Ukraine," which provides independent journalism, ground-level dispatches, and ongoing coverage of the war in Ukraine.

The magazine operates out of St. Augustine, Florida, but acts as a unique bridge between its local readership and the realities of life in Ukraine.

The coverage includes:

• Ground-level reporting: First-hand accounts and videos from a journalist in Ukraine detailing life in a warzone.
• Beyond the headlines: Coverage of the humanitarian impacts and daily reality of Ukrainians.

 

Oh yes, I would be glad if the Russians would stop. But alas. They are persistent. For four years they have been storming my hometown and have finally come within three miles. Over these years, war has trained us so well that we can live a surreal life. Russian combat drones fly through the streets even during the day. They destroy cars they don't like. Very often, a city dweller arrives at the store, does some shopping, and comes out to find their car on fire, attacked by a drone. No one considers this an accident. Just bad luck! Garbage collection, bus routes, and postal service have already been suspended in some areas of the city. Banks and large gas station chains are already fleeing the city. But there is still electricity, gas, and water. Stores are open. In my article "Weak nerves cost too much in war" for The Saint Magazine, I described 10 stages of the death of cities in war. We are now halfway through.

 

Yes, The Saint Magazine is my latest venture, launched in May of this year. The first stage was Red Hook Daily Catch. I've been writing there since the first day of the war, and it was for my reporting there that I was nominated for a Pulitzer Prize. I have an opinion column there. Generally, my point of view is about three years ahead of the mainstream. When I told the truth about Zelenskyy in 2023, it was met with suspicion. But in 2026, everyone started writing about corruption, Ukrainians' reluctance to fight, and other problems in Ukraine. Now I'm writing about Trump fighting not Iran but the oil-producing countries of the Persian Gulf (using the war with Iran for this purpose). This opinion also seems strange to many. But within two or three years, the entire press will acknowledge it.

 

I can't imagine what life in such an extreme warzone is like, but I guess surreal is a good way to describe it. It boggles the mind and life shouldn't be like that, but it is.

 

In this day and age when we should all know better.

Debora

 

...when we THOUGHT.....that we'd all know better..... but alas , bad actors still abound !!
The world has changed around us........ humans.....not so much !!

 

You know. The worst thing is that we've gotten used to war. War has become ordinary life for us. And this ordinary life is very boring. Everything that impresses viewers in war movies seems like nothing special to us. Basically, war is like a drug. It's not just death, but also a way of life. I'm afraid that after the war (if we survive), we won't be able to return to our former selves.

 

You're right. Thank you for your support. Antiquers is a wonderful place. Because there are people here, not just sellers and buyers.

 

Yes, you're right. Humanity rarely learns from its mistakes. This costs us dearly.