Russia leather

American  

noun

1. a fine, smooth leather produced by careful tanning and dyeing, especially in dark red: originally prepared in Russia.

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Russia leather British  

noun

1. a smooth dyed leather made from calfskin and scented with birch tar oil, originally produced in Russia

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Etymology

Origin of Russia leather

First recorded in 1650–60

Example Sentences

He took from a Russia leather case a clean professional card, and presented it to the young man.

From The New Gulliver and Other Stories by Pain, Barry

Mr. Stanhope knows that clippings of Russia leather and cedar-shavings will keep the little creatures off our shawls and muffs, and why should not the pretty things live and be happy?'

From Forgotten Tales of Long Ago by Bedford, F. D.

Reticent as he was, his feverish excitement made me think that something vital hung on the recovery of the contents of that Russia leather bag.

From The Window at the White Cat by Rinehart, Mary Roberts

"That" was a beautiful brown bag of Russia leather, sweet with the pungent sweetness of birch bark, or of the peculiar process of curing with such bark; and with nickel plated lock and bolts.

From A Letter of Credit by Warner, Susan

She held a square Russia leather case, in corn-flower blue.

From A Duel by Marsh, Richard