Vintage New Zealand Souvenir Leather Compact Pouch Appraisal

Vintage New Zealand Souvenir Leather Compact Pouch

This item is a small, rectangular souvenir pouch or wallet crafted from thick, robust brown leather, featuring a fold-over flap secured by a central metal snap fastener. The exterior is decorated with prominent embossed iconography including a stylised Maori tiki head at the top, flanked by two silver ferns, which are national symbols of New Zealand. Below the snap, the embossed text read, 'Good Luck from New Zealand.' The leather exhibits a deep russet brown color with a visible grain and edge-burnishing characteristic of mid-20th-century craftsmanship. The metal hardware, including the central snap and two base rivets, shows signs of oxidation and patina consistent with age. There is visible wear and darkening around the edges of the flap, suggesting frequent handling and utility over time. The construction utilizes heavy-duty stitching and metal reinforcement, typical of functional transit or personal accessory items from the 1950s to 1970s. The surface shows minor abrasions and a characteristic vintage sheen, but remains structurally sound without significant cracks or tears in the leather. This piece serves as a classic example of cultural tourism ephemera, likely manufactured as a travel accessory for the burgeoning postwar tourism market.