Old leather briefcase has turned sticky

[cabinetguy]

A friend of mine has an old leather briefcase that was given to him 12 or 15 years ago by employees at his old company.  It's been sitting in a closet for many years, and he recently decided to start using it again.  

The problem is that on virtually every surface, the leather has developed a sticky, tacky feel.  The only leather in the entire briefcase that is not sticky is the gussets of the document dividers.  

 

Any ideas on how to eliminate the sticky feeling without damaging the leather?

 

Thanks!

[Mattsbagger]

Saddle soap would be my first option.......