Interesting find at yard sale

My neighborhood only allows 2 garage/yard sales per year and last Oct I saw a person I knew standing outside a yard sale in the neighborhood so I pulled over to chat a few minutes with him. While there, I noticed a really nice, vintage Orvis suitcase/bag set. I began asking about it and the person advised it had belonged to a family relative that had passed away a few years earlier. When I mentioned I could use it for my next Africa trip they also mentioned the previous owner traveled extensively to Argentina and owned a ranch there. After a brief negotiation (I'm embarrassed to even mention what I paid for the set) I was the new owner. Fast forward to yesterday when I pulled the set out as I began to get ready for my trip in late June. I found a business card in the ID holder section and today looked up the name. WOW- I didn't realize.
I am extremely proud to be carrying on the tradition and hope that Mr. Lay would approve.

H. Ward Lay 1945-2011.


Managing Partner of Frito-LAY- Dallas business man, entrepreneur and philanthropist. Here is just a short snippet from his obit.


Ward also traveled extensively in Argentina, and in 1998 bought a large ranch in Argentina's Lake District of Patagonia, which he converted from a sheep ranch to a guest ranch featuring a renovated century old ranch headquarters, fly fishing and hunting for red deer, boar, and puma. In 2003 he extended his interests in Argentina when he co-founded a winery, Andeluna Cellars in Mendoza, Argentina which today produces and sells internationally a wide variety of premium red and white wines. Ward was a co-founder of two airlines, Great Plains and Air Florida, and Rucker Construction Co., which completed many projects, including the Braniff Airways terminal at DFW. Ward also owned Cross Creek Ranch, a commercial beef cattle and feed crop operation in Blue Ridge, Texas. He served on Texas A&M's College of Agriculture's development council. He was a member of Brook Hollow Golf Club, Calyx Club, Dallas Assembly, Dallas County Republican Mens' Club, Dallas Friday Group, Dallas Gun Club, Dallas Petroleum Club, Dallas Safari Club, Society of International Business Fellows, Terpischorean Club, the 500 Inc., and Union League Club of Chicago.


For the whole story


http://obits.dallasnews.com/obituar...ry.aspx?n=herman-lay&pid=154315436&fhid=11533

One of the large duffel bags looks to have never been used. Both duffles have a solid frame bottom with wheels and a handle for pulling. The smaller "suitcase" also has an extended handles and wheels. It's possible the suitcase might fit carry-on size for international flights.

Nice acquisition! Looks like they found a home with someone who appreciates them.

Wow, cool find

Good home for it.

That reminds me, my son "borrowed" my Orvis Canvasback duffle (part of a set that I purchased about 40 years ago) a few years back and hasn't returned it yet. I'm going to have to remember to ask him about it.

Very nice!

Those old heavy canvas leather trimmed bags are hard to beat. Normally expensive as all get out but almost indestructible. I'm sure you will put them to good use.

Great find. My grandfather was good friends with Charles Doolin (Frito). Small world.

Very nice find! Thanks for sharing

Wow now that is way cool

Lucky find.

Great story. Reminds me of the show “American Pickers”. I think the story behind your items is what make it great.

Mr. Lay surely had no time to be bored during his life! Based on the obit!

Was there any tater chips in the bag. Lol. Just kidding. That's a cool find.

Incredible story, congrats!

Sell it to Pepsi for 5000% gain