Regarding the Chossy brand, I can add that they possess one of those classic old saddlebag attributes, the attractive celluloid (or some other early-ish plastic) nameplate displaying the logo of the brand. In this specific case it always contains the definite article, and I seem to recall the name is enclosed in quotation marks: thus, "the Chossy". The whole thing would seem to suggest the '20s to me, and I will be very surprised if the company doesn't go pretty far back into the plus-fours-wearing era. Good stuff in my book, along with the Middlemore brand and other bygones. Perhaps old issues of the C-T-C Gazette (the Cyclists Touring Club magazine) might contain advertisements for "the Chossy", and perhaps an old address could be obtained that way, to aid further research if Margaret is really pursuing it.
Those nameplates--of a type seen on most old brands, actually--really add some visual appeal, in my opinion. Call me a curmudgeon but latter-day branding efforts--including, sadly, those of Carradice--don't really rate--though admittedly, logo design is a terribly subjective matter. Some straight, unadulterated reissues would be nice, though, should they happen to appear. I see those new Carradices, and I always think "near miss". So far I've stuck with a weary pair of '60s / '70s vinyl Brooks saddlebags, though I'm theoretically saving for some new stuff.
Perhaps Carradice might obtain the rights to the Chossy name and put a batch out of really uncompromising old-style bags--hint, hint.
Anyway, in the interests of equal time, I'd like to say--kudos to all keeper-of-the-flame saddlebag makers: Carradice, the Rivendell 'Baggins' line, and how about those new Berthoud designs--let alone that guy in Japan making the all-leather stuff (maybe someday). Brooks, too, though what's come of their reintroduction of saddlebags? I haven't seen anything beyond those exquisite but too-small-to-count leather tool bags. I hunger for all this stuff, and am just glad that it exists to some extent in our oddly diminished modern world. Seems like things may be on the upswing in this department. Vive le 650B and (with a little luck)"the Chossy" saddlebag! Maybe if there's demand we'll get supply as a result.
Not affiliated with any one brand of saddlebag (yet),
Tom "I'll take those canvas Karrimor panniers, please" Ward New York City
Paul Raley had written re: Chossy saddlebags:
>I recall that Chossy saddlebags are listed in a copy of the 1952 >Holdsworths
>catalog. I don't have the catalog in front of me but I believe that >they were
>either cotton duct or "unused" felt - and along the lines of a
>Carradice.
>I could provide a scanned copy of the catalog page to Margaret if she >is
>interested.
>Paul Raley
>Leonardtown MD
>"Dennis Ryan" <angroch@insightbb.com> wrote:
>>Hi All,
>>Margaret from Carradice asked the BOBlist if anyone knew anything >about
>>Chossy saddlebags etc, since this is the place for that kind of >knowledge.
>>Can anyone help her out? (I bet you can!)
>>
>>Thanks all,
>>Dennis Ryan
>>Louisville