What new book would we choose if we were curating a hotel library? This slim, picture-rich volume compiled by London’s stylish Design Museum bags one of our votes.

True to its self-explanatory title, this nifty fifty is a concise history of the bag, from Gladstone’s leather Budget Box, a weathered 1860 precursor of the briefcase, and the colorful Carpetbag, apropos in this American Civil War anniversary year, to the ubiquitous Kelly bag (no explanation needed), the Queen’s Handbag (ditto) and Vivien Westwood’s 2010 Amazonlife Bowling Bag. (more…)