We receive a lot of great letters and e-mails, but the one we got the other day was one of the nicest. We asked permission to publish it, and here it is.

Thanks Donna from Virginia. !!

Jimmey Iszler,
President and CEO, LAND

Dear Land People:

This is a love letter to you for the beautiful leather products you offer. I learned about Land about 15 years ago on my first visit to Bermuda. The store embossed my initials, wrapped it up, and I fell in deep, serious love with your items. Since then, I have con-tinued to visit the Caribbean, and to buy Land products wherever I can find them.

I currently have over 25 pieces from the Santa Fe line (the

black/brown, saddle tan, and all-brown choices). The leather is superb. The quality and workmanship is superior, and the look and feel of the leather exceeds any other leather item on the market today. And the Caribbean prices are so reasonable! Yes, this is high praise, but you deserve it.

In June, I traveled to Barbados with a group of 15 women (I am a travel agent) for a one-week retreat/vacation. We rented 2 villas complete w/maid, cook, gardener, and pool guy. Although the vacation was relaxing and we were true pool and couch potatoes, the highlight of my trip was (1) purchasing 7 new pieces of Land and (2) introducing the 15 women to Land Leather. We shopped in Harrison's on 2 occasions,

and bought more than 30 pieces between us (all from the same sales lady!). I'm proud to tell you that I "converted" several of them to Land aficionados -- and these are upscale professional women who routinely spend hundreds of dollars on handbags, etc.

In early November, I returned to the Caribbean with my sweetie and we visited Harrison's in Barbados. It was wonderful! So many choices in the Santa Fe line. Such beautiful colors in the "fashion" line (I love the yellow!). I settled on purchasing the small duffel bag ($125) and another key ring ($11) and a men's toiletries case ($34 or $37) (yes, my sweetie is also a Land convert!). My only regret is that I didn't have more time and $$ to buy more Land items!

Please continue to do what you do, and to sell these items, and I'll keep on buying them whenever I can!

Donna Speller, Virginia, USA

Leather, the ultimate status symbol
by James WM Iszler
from PANACHE Magazine

At LAND Leather, understanding the make-up of leather, and knowing how to care for it, are as important to the company as the beauty and fashion forwardness of their designed pieces.

In the choices available today for shoes, bags, billfolds, belts and travel ware, leather is still the major contender. It's special qualities of appearance, wear ability and versatility will never be replaced. To use a leather bags, carryons or accessory will always be a status symbol.

Today, manufacturers have developed either look-a-like products that even experts have to study closely to be sure it is genuine leather. Here are some thoughts that may guide you to make the right buying decision.

FIRST OF ALL, a little background. Leather Is tanned by one of two process: chrome mineral or vegetable. The chrome tanned leather is more flexible and is used In soft handbags, billfolds and clothing. Vegetable tanned leather, because it is generally stiffer, is used for shoe soles and belts. Both tanning processes can be used for the same items such as belts, packing cases, handbags and billfolds to name a few. Newer tanning processes have somewhat blurred the distinction between the two processes, so a hide may be chrome tanned and than be vegetable retanned.

Synthetic "leathers" or imitation leathers are usually developed to replace the chrome tanned leathers used in handbags, travel bags and attaches. Some manufacturers have developed vinyl material so close to leather, they are used unnoticed in the same article. In a handbag for example the front and back panels might be leather and the rest matching vinyl. How can you know? Here are several things to look for:

1. Appearance: Leather is like your skin, it has pores. Examine very closely the grain. Unless the leather is finished with heavy layers of pigment, one should notice the hair pores clearly. Also look for small blemishes or uneven pores. No natural hide is totally perfect. Any Imperfections will show your article is real leather.

2. Price: Leather is normally more expensive than vinyl. If the price seems below your expectations, than give it another look. A good leather bag will normally not be inexpensive.

3. Ask the sales person or manager of the store: Most will tell you the truth. Also look for any labels on the inside. Most people who make leather bags will state so on the inside.

4. If possible, look for an area where you can see the back side of the material. Leather has a fuzzy, sometimes uneven appearance on the backside. Certainly anything that would have a woven like appearance would not be leather.

5. Last but not least, look for a label or trademark you trust. A company with a reputation for good leather will not be selling something that looks like leather but is not.

Besides the leather aspect, here are some other things to look for in buying a leather bag.

1. Hardware or findings: These are the buckles, snaps and locks. Do they work easily? Do they look like inexpensive cast models with little weight or do they feel solid and heavy? Hardware can usually divided into four categories: die cast, die cut, wire shaped or sand cast. In die cast a pewter-like alloy is used. It is somewhat brittle and can break easily. It is easy to produce and is therefore used extensively. It is plated with gold or silver which in time can wear off. Die cut hardware is punched out on heavy pressure machines and is normally used for the plates over combinations locks etc. Wire shaped hardware is also common as it is used for buckles where the joint is hidden from view by a leather strap. These can pull apart with heavy use. The last category, sand cast is one of the oldest and has proven to be perhaps the most reliable. Molten brass (a copper alloy) is poured into a hollow chamber of sand in the size or shaped needed. Brass has the advantage of being somewhat flexible, never peels and will last forever. It does tarnish somewhat if not in use, but can easily be brought to a lustrous finish with silver or brass polish. Since each item is hand finished it is normally one of the more expensive findings

2. Check the zippers: Do they slide easily? Do they appear to be if anything, too heavy for the item? On luggage pieces you will need at least a number 8 (teeth 8 mm wide) zipper and on handbags nothing less than a number 5 or 6. Avoid any size zipper that you would normally find on clothing, they are simply not strong enough for leather items. Nylon coil zippers are normally more trouble free than brass or nylon teeth zippers. Once a tooth on a zipper is gone, the total zipper must be replaced, whereas, a coil zipper can often be fixed by changing or adjusting the zipper head. If the nylon coil zipper has a nylon tape on each side of the coil instead of cotton it will last for an even longer time.

3. Lining: Look closely at the lining In the bag. The tighter the weave, the less possibility it will tear out. Linings are very important in leather bags since leather virtually lasts forever, a bad lining can ruin your purchase quickly. Check if the lining is waterproof. Usually waterproof linings will tear less easily. It will also allow you to wash out the bag when something is spilled inside. In the case of travel items it will protect your clothing and of course protect your leather from the backside. Two items that can ruin leather permanently are ink and nail polish remover. A waterproof lining will prevent this damage.

4. Stitching: Look for nylon as opposed to cotton stitching. Cotton will eventually deteriorate (more so In a humid climate) whereas nylon will last for a lifetime.

CARE OF YOUR LEATHER BAG OR ITEM. There are many oils and soaps on the market. What they have in common, is to prevent the leather from drying out. It is therefore a good idea to periodically rub your bag with a soft slightly oiled cloth, If you do not have access to oil or lanolin, you can use the old and tried formula. Anything you use on a baby’s skin can normally be used on leather. Always spread the oil evenly on a total panel, not just one area. You can even use baby soap to wash any dirt on the outside. Make sure you oil it after it is dry. Do be careful. Not all leathers can be washed or even oiled. A suede finish can not be oiled and can be washed only if it comes with instructions to do so. Wash or oil a hidden area first to see what happens. Vegetable tanned leathers with little protective finish can spot or even swell. Poorly finished chrome tanned leathers may fade. Please be aware, that your bag may be slightly darker once It Is oiled especially if it is a light color. This is to be expected, but after a few days of drying out, it will come back to it’s normal color.

What is it that makes leather so Important after many centuries of use.? Why is leather still the principal material used in footwear and expensive handbags? Leather has a very unique structure. It is made up of millions of tiny hair like fibers finer than hair. 5000 fibers laid side by side would only span one Inch, All these fibers are woven together in an intricate pattern with special characteristics allowing air channels and passages. Since it allows air and perspiration to pass through and has good flexibility, it is especially essential for shoes. In luggage these stretching capabilities are very important for comfortable packing. Leather will take a lot of abuse and scuffing and can take extreme changes of temperatures with no problem, Since it has air between its fibers, it acts as insulation from cold and heat, Yes, many leathers will scratch especially if they have a very natural finish. Surface scratches will not weaken the leather, A modest amount of scratching and scuffing will give your item the "leather look" and distinguish it from any vinyl look-a- likes, Wear your leather items proudly, knowing that no two items will ever be exactly the same.