Handbag brands founded 19th c. or earlier

  • Thread starter Thread starter 1880lady
  • Start date Start date
1

1880lady

Guest
Does anyone know of any handbag brands/companies established in the 19th century or earlier still around today? The only ones that immediately come to mind are Vuitton, Hermes, Burberry (formerly Burberrys), and Russell & Bromley. What are some others?

I was just curious as I hardly ever seen period bags (excluding luggage) with labels.
 
I wonder what a 19th century lady would be carrying in her purse?

Money, handkerchief, calling cards....what else?
 
Neither Hermes or Vuitton got their starts in handbags. Hermes started with Saddles and Vuitton with Steamer Trunks or Luggage. They did not start making handbags until much later. Vuitton actually started making their trunks with what is now known as the Damier pattern and the LV pattern also came much later on. I have a lovely and very large book that covers the History of Vuitton.
 
I found a reference to Vuitton introducing a handbag in 1892, shortly after Louis died.

I think the reason you don't see period bags with labels is because it wasn't such a commercial thing until the 20th century. A woman might make her own crochet bag, or a small cloth bag. In the scheme of things that would be a simple thing for a woman (or her dressmaker) to make, so there probably wasn't as much need for them to be available commercially. Going by memory here, but it seems that it was in the 20s that women began carrying what we would identify as a handbag - perhaps as a sign of their growing independence.

Also, earlier gowns often have pockets under the skirts, reducing the need for a separate handbag or purse.

Laura
 
The first Louis Vuitton "bag" was in 1932 and it wasn't even designed as a handbag. It was the Noe and it was designed to hold Champagne bottles. I'd be curious to read the reference to Vuitton designing a handbag in 1892. As far as I know from all the History of the company that I've read they only did trunks and luggage at that time.
 
I was curious so I went looking. The earliest pic I could find of LV handbags is from 1924.

lv1924bags.jpg
 
I think that the commercial was reserved for luggage for a time. If you had Louis Vuitton Trunks everyone knew just from looking at them. Here is a steamer trunk advertisement from 1922:

lv1922trunks.jpg
 
I'll see if I can go back and find the reference. It was an article about the history of the company.

I admit, 1892 was a lot earlier than I expected. It was just a brief mention that the first handbag was introduced in 1892, after Louis died. I would have liked more details, but the article didn't give any.

Laura
 
l have some pics archived on adisk somehwere, but l cant get to it in a hurry...
 
I knew that some brands didn't necessarily start out selling bags but later added them to their list of manufactured products. Russell & Bromley, if I remember correctly, got their start in the 1870s selling leather goods.

Certain luxury brands (LV, Hermes, etc.) founded decades ago have handbags that are very desirable now. Is there a list of brands around that fit that criteria? I know labels like Prada, Chanel, etc are 20th century.
 
just regarding that first post-- re: burberrys changing to burberry....when did they change their name exactly??

i always get confused when i see 'burberrys' labels!!
 
A google search came up with this answer:

"In 1999 Burberrys changed their marketing name to Burberry. Most of their items changed too however many accessory items still had the Burberrys name. Also, in 2006, after much public outcry, Burberry closed a main manufacturing plant in London and began producing items in China. The Burberry name was the standard, but Burberrys was still being printed in the liner of some purses and clothing. Currently in Japan there is a line Burberry items that are sold that have the Burberrys name. It is a more affordable line of clothing and accesories. "
 
Companies who manufactured purses or handbags in the 19th century were often taken over or merged with another company.

Tiffany & Co. sold purses under their 'label' but I don't think they have a range today.

Silver flat-ware companies produced purses including mesh bags. Whiting & Davis is probably the best known maker in North America. Gorham was a flat-ware company that also produced purse frames and mesh bags. "The handbag manufacturers subcontracted for the mesh to be made by workers in their homes and they would be paid upon completion. The most popular material to make these bags was German silver, gunmetal, or sterling.'

Throughout the Victorian period women's needlework skills and textile crafts were highly valued. Magazines provided instructions for producing reticules and purses including beaded bags.

Advertising plates from Harper's Bazaar magazine during the period would be a good resource.

BTW this site has the most extensive directory of vintage luggage manufacturers and retailers I've come across.

http://www.achome.co.uk/antiques/vintage_luggage.htm
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top