Grace Kelly put Mark Cross leather goods in the spotlight when she carried a specially created overnight case in the 1954 movie "Rear Window". Max Holzman designed this overnight case for Mark Cross Company. When the Sara Lee Corporation bought the Mark Cross Company in the early 90's the company tried to bring the Mark Cross Company back to life by recreating some of the box purses from the Grace Kelly era. Also Barbara Bolan was commissioned to design some softer shaped handbags to appeal to the younger generation. But unfortunately none of these new ideas helped and the remaining seven stores were closed in 1998. This is a VERY RARE Mark Cross Inc. recreation of the famous case that Grace carried in the movie. The cases were sold in colors of black, red and brown. This stunning dark brown leather Mark Cross Overnight Case has been tucked away for over 12 years and never used. Soft genuine leather not only on the outside but inside as well along with plush suede. The pictures tell the story. Such a symbol of elegance as Grace Kelly herself. The case measures 13" W x 9" H x 3" D. Value $2,000.00 (NOT FOR SALE)
1954
Few films so lavishly celebrate style as "Rear Window," in which Grace Kelly, as socialite Lisa Fremont, arrives at the apartment of her boyfriend -- played by Jimmy Stewart -- with a lacey negligee and slippers in an elegant Mark Cross Overnight Case. The audience knew the precise brand of her valise because she announced it in the film.
August, 1997
Mark Cross, the 152-year-old luxury leather goods company is being closed only four years after it was purchased by Sara Lee Corp. and six months after the company had been put up for sale but found no buyer. The name, however, is being retained. "Naturally I feel sad because of the effort that has gone into building the Mark Cross brand," said Lew Frankfort, CEO of Mark Cross as well as leather goods maker Coach, another Sara Lee-owned brand. "We'll be phasing the business out over the next six months." Frankfort said the future of each of the six Mark Cross.