Briefcase
Object number2009.15.1 a-e
Manufacturer
Kensington
Date1997-2001
MediumCanvas; plastic; rubber; paper; ink
Credit LineGift of Judy Colfer
DescriptionBriefcase with contents including nametag, electrical cord,and two ink pens.DimensionsHeight x Width x Depth (a): 14 × 18.25 × 3.25 in. (35.6 × 46.4 × 8.3 cm)Height x Width x Depth (b): 3.625 × 4.125 × 0.375 in. (9.2 × 10.5 × 1 cm)
Length x Width (c): 97 × 1.625 in. (246.4 × 4.1 cm)
Length x Diameter (d): 5.25 × 0.5 in. (13.3 × 1.3 cm)
Length x Diameter (e): 5.75 × 0.375 in. (14.6 × 1 cm)
Inscriptions(a)
Plastic luggage tag attached to top handle: on obverse, "US AIRWAYS / PREFERRED / 1997" ; on reverse, "MRS JUDITH M COLFER / 211 896 683 / IF FOUND, RETURN TO ANY US AIRWAYS OFFICE."
(b)
Printed on paper: background image in grey of World Trade Center Towers with "WTI" at bottom; text in black superimposed over image, "Mexican Logistics / Judy Colfer / Mine Safety Appliances".
(c)
Attached to cord via tape is a small orange-covered booklet with text: "56K+Fax / Gold Card / Multi-function PC Card"; on reverse, "CONEXANT / A Heritage of / ROCKWELL / Technologies".
Marks(a)
Engraving in red in black rubber strip "KENSINGTON".
(d)
Printed in red and black on cap: "BURNHAM".
Engraved on clip: "BiC Metal Point".
(e)
Printed on body in black & underlined in green, "Radisson"; telephone number and internet address beneath.
Historical NotesCanvas briefcase and contents carried by Judy Colfer on September 11, 2001. Label TextOn the morning of September 11, Greensburg resident Judy Colfer carried this canvas briefcase out of One World Trade Center after it was struck by American Airlines Flight 11. An executive for Mine Safety Appliance based in O’Hara Township, Colfer was attending a seminar on the 55th floor when she felt a tremendous, earthquake-like tremor that sent desk lamps, telephones, and computers crashing to the floor. After learning what had happened, she slowly made her way down the congested, dust-filled stairwells as firemen raced past her on their ascent to the point of impact. She reached the ground floor around 10:20 a.m. The tower collapsed only minutes after she made her escape. Since September 11, Colfer has often tried to wash the briefcase. But the dust – a permanent reminder of that fateful day – will not come out.
Previous owner
Judy Colfer
Related institution
Mine Safety Appliances Company
On View
Not on view
American Safety Table Company
