It’s All About the Bags...
It’s what musicians say about their passion for music, and it’s how
Seymour Mondshein and Lisa Martin feel about their backpacks,
purses, and hip bags created in leather and tapestry. Even after
celebrating over 30 years working together, these are two people who
can still get excited about a new pocket for a cell phone or Ipod. 

A Tradition...
The origins of Maple Leather Company and GreatBags® can be found
in craftsmanship and skills passed down from generation to generation.
Seymour Mondshein started making bags at the age of eleven in the
back of his father’s Maple Fur Shop in Newark, New Jersey. Abraham
Mondshein was a European-trained furrier and Holocaust survivor who
loved to have his son in his workshop after school. Through trial and
error, plus coursework at both F.I.T. and Parsons School of Design in
New York City, Seymour’s designs have evolved to the many different
styles and collections that you can see today. The couple met when
Lisa came to New Jersey to be the Textiles artist-in-residence at Peters
Valley Craft Center, and the rest is history. 


The Design Philosophy...
We strive to create work of lasting beauty, designs which are both
durable and functional. Every bag we make is designed to provide the
user with maximum convenience, comfort, and style. In that process, we
use only the finest materials available and the highest levels of
craftsmanship. We search the international market for the finest leathers
and textiles available and are proud of the high quality we select. All our
bags are proudly made in the U.S.A.