Practical Designs... High Quality Materials... Made to Last
De Martini Globe Canvas set the standard for the NYC Messenger Bag.
...Decades later we are still sewing bags one at a time in the USA.
THE BEGINNING
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In 1947, After honing his skills as Sail Maker at the Brooklyn Naval Yard during World War II, Frank De Martini started the De Martini Globe Canvas Co.. Originally Globe Canvas was a sail manufacturing and repair shop, but as advances in the sail making industry put many small sail shops out of business, Frank began filling orders for bags, aprons, covers, and awnings. His designs were practical and durable, and stood up to real work. Customers included the NY phone companies, Airborn Air freight, and the New York Subway Advertising Co.. As Frank put it once... ''If it's made of canvas, like the sign says outside, we'll make it.''
THE ORIGINAL
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In 1965, De Martini Globe Canvas introduced a bag made for the phone company to the bicycle messenger industry. Soon messenger bags began to replace apron, tent, and awning work. As the bicycle courier industry grew, De Martini messengers bags gained approval and soon messenger companies took interest. De Martini still made bags for Airborne Air Freight, Columbia Pictures and The New York Subways Advertising Co., but most bags became the exclusive domain of bicycle messengers. Among the first customers were Coleman Younger, Can Couriers, and Meyers Messenger.
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Through the 70’S messenger bag popularity increased with the continued success of the bicycle courier business. By 1977 companies began requesting exclusive colors. Mobil Messenger, City Cycle, Elite, and Wheelwise all rode with colors specific to their courier shop. During this time De Martini Globe Canvas bags were the only bike messenger bags readily available to the growing number of bike messengers in New York City. As cities around the world took their cue from NYC, De Martini Messengers found their way to Europe and Asia.
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The 80’S brought many new customers as New Yorkers found value in messenger bags. By 1986 De Martini had expanded the line with two similar but smaller sizes. Most bags were sold direct to individuals in the basement shop at 177 Mott Street, or as Frank called it, "Down in the Hole".
THE TRADITION CONTINUES
The 1990's brought a lot of change to NYC and to the Bike Messenger Industry. De Martini Globe Canvas was now competing with other bag makers who were adopting and often expanding on De Martini Original designs, but also with the "Digital Age". Fax machines, pagers, email, and cell phones marked a decline in the Bike Messenger Industry.
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The internet has changed many things in the 21st Century. De Martini Globe Canvas is no longer "Down In The Hole" on Mott Street, but we still make custom messengers one at a time. We are committed to offering Frank De Martini's Original NYC Messenger Bags, and excited to offer new designs and products made with the same high quality craftsmanship and materials. We will do our best to make sure that you are not only satisfied with your De Martini Globe Canvas product, but also our Customer Service.
All of our products are Made In The USA.
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