Objects Database

Millet Rucksack - Sherpa Rene Desmaison 165

Accession Number

111.2008.1

Object Name

Millet Rucksack - Sherpa Rene Desmaison 165

Created

13/10/2008

Creator

Hermione Cooper

Accession Date

13/10/2008

Brief Description

Blue canvas and suede rucksack. Drawstring, zipped pockets inside and outside top flap. Canvas straps metal buckles, nylon covered foam back straps. Canvas loop for ice axe.

Materials

foam, suede, leather, canvas, metal

Dimensions

54(l) x 42(w) x 15(d) cms.

Number Of Objects

1

Inscription Description

Label on back reads"MILLET ORIGINAL LE SHERPA MARQUE DESPOSEE MODELE RENE DESMAISON"
On other label "ELLIS BRIGHAM SPECIALISTS IN SKI-ING MOUNTAINEERING ROCK CLIMBING & CAMPING EQUIPMENT"

Colour

blue, brown

Maker

MIllet

Object Production Place

France

Provenance

" "The world's most desired sac. It balances on the back comfortably no matter what the load. Internal wood lat frame. Zipped pocket under lid. Blue cotton duck cloth, grey chrome leather base. All nylon fittings and padded tubular straps""
The description of our rucksack in the 1974 Ellis Brigham catalogue.
However, despite being the "world's most desired sac" Brighams struggled to sell them. One reason was the expensive price, the other was the rather curious fact that a firm called Millets in the UK ( Millet - pronounced meelay - are French) had army and navy stores throughout the UK at the time and most folk thought Millet - the French version - was the same outfit trying to sell over priced ex- army rucksacks!
Sacs Millet, as they were, and still are called in France, were one of the world's largest producers of rucksacks at the time, catering primarily for the huge continental market and the sacs were as good as Ellis Brigham tells us.
The fine example we have here came from our good friend, Reg Popham, who for many years was an instructor at the National Outdoor Centre, Glenmore Lodge.
It was, and still is, very important that instructors look cool when teaching in the great outdoors, so what better way than to be carrying" the world's most desirable sac"
Rene Desmaison was a famous French Alpinist who designed the rucksack for Millet.

Acquisition Method

Donated by Reg Popham

Acquisition Date

13/10/2008

Condition Check Date

28/04/2009

Rules

Spectrum : UK Museum documentation standard, V.3.1 2007

Modified

28/04/2009

Go Back