I guess I am a purse collector!

I was asked to give a talk on purses a couple of weeks ago. I turned it down because I really don't know much about purses, however, it spurred me on to photograph my purse collection and actually I have some nice purses! Here are some highlights. Keep in mind I DON"T pay real money for purses -- its just not my thing, but after twenty-five years of collecting I have managed to snag some nice ones along the way... I cringe to think of some I have sold... the best one was a corset purse by Gaultier I sold for an embarrassing sum on eBay a couple of years ago... but I wish I had kept it. Anyone want to add their favourites?

<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/01.jpg>
White cotton crochet bag, c. 1910
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/02.jpg>
Aliigator purse, c. 1900 - 1915
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/03.jpg>
Wool drawstring bag, c. 1860s?
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/04.jpg>
Green crochet finger tip bag (really tiny), c. 1860
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/05.jpg>
Metal mesh bag, c.1920
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/06.jpg>
Metal mesh bag, c. mid - late 1920s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/07.jpg>
Florentine stamped leather clutch, late 1920s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/08.jpg>
Beaded evening bag, c. 1930
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/09.jpg>
Brocade woold clutch, c. late 1920s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/10.jpg>
Incised leather clutch, c. late 1920s - early 1930s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/11.jpg>
Brown crepe clutch with glass fox handle, c. 1930s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/12.jpg>
Black vinyl and lucite bag, c. 1950
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/13.jpg>
Brown suede bag, c. late 1940s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/14.jpg>
Black corde bag, late 1940s - early 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/15.jpg>
Telephone cord bag, late1940s - early 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/16.jpg>
Mother of pearl and brass evening bag, 1940s - 50s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/17.jpg>
Large felt bag, early 1950s?
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/18.jpg>
Embroidered gold lame with gold embroidered clutch with cabachon jewels, 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/19.jpg>
Pina cloth purse, mid 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/20.jpg>
Basket purse with leather top, mid 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/21.jpg>
Shell owl on brown burlap bag, c. 1960
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/22.jpg>
Black croc Lucille de Paris Kelly bag, 1950s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/23.jpg>
Brown alligator bag, late 1960s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/24.jpg>
Silver snakeskin evening bag with long shoulder strap, late 1960s - 1970s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/25.jpg>
Patchwork vinyl bag, early 1970s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/26.jpg>
Printed velvet shoulder bag, early 1970s
<img src=http://home.cogeco.ca/~fitsaboy/27.jpg>
Olive green kid bag, c. late 1980s - early 1990s

 

My favorite topic!

You really do have some great bags, Jonathan! I'll have to examine them more at length when I have time.... but I'm really enamored of that last, green one... and the corde with the lucite handles/pull. I had a very similar one that I regret selling.

 

Quite a nice group for someone who dosen't really consider himself to be a bag collector. I LOVE the one with the fox clasp.

I'll try to get some pictures of mine up layer. Like you, I don't really collect bags, but I do buy nice ones I run across that will look right with a dress in my collection. So I have a few...

 

Oh and I thought *I* had a lot of purses!

My hands down favorite is the one with the fox clasp. I have never seen anything quite like it...tell us more about it.

I have a very similar carryall to the one you have...or at least its MOP anyhow.

 

Those are quite nice. Especially if they weren't bought for 'real money' lol

I thought that one had a squirrel handle at first glance-whew!

I have an embarassingly large collection of purses myself as I can never bring myself to auction them. Maybe I will put them on my website someday.
I love purses!
Not just vintage, either. I think between Brooke and I we have about 60 Coach purses. Is that last picture a Coach?

 

Jonathan - how did you get the black corde with the clear carved handle to stand up like that?

 

I don't think I own one Coach, Hermes, Chanel, Vuitton or Gucci bag -- they are money in the bank and I always sell them online. However, The black alligator is a Lucille de Paris, which I love -- its so classic.

The fox handled one is, I think, 1930s and the handle is glass, not plastic. The mop has a compact, lipstick, money clip, mirror, and cigarette clasp for holding about 8 cigarettes in it -- they sure crammed a lot into that one little bag! No room for your car keys though...

The handles just stand up on that black corde one... they are stiff, and you have to fold them down on purpose. The purse isn't actually corde though, its like a vinyl piping and its quite large, more of an underam carrier than a handbag.

 

I think mine has powder, a lipstick holder, a mirror and a little comb. and might have a money clip i will have to look...they sure didn't waste space on those...they fit more into yours

I have yet to photo all my mod bags. But this is a good motivator. I have been meaning to clear out my storage unit in the worst way. (yep i didn't have a place for all my purses so as i get rid of stuff that's in the office, they can move back in)

 

Wow...those are stunning Jonathan!!

I have so many favorites among yours. The fox handle one is so wonderful though!!

I hoarde purses then end up selling them off. I am currently in selling mode as my storage area has no more purse room!!

 

What a fantastic collection!!! The basket bag reminds me of poor little Toto ... and my favorite (although, I'd take 'em all!) is the art deco clutch above the fox-handled one - love it!

I have one just like the mother of pearl - with lipstick and powder puff inside and a matching smaller one with powder puff only.

Hope to grab some shots of mine and post tomorrow.

Thanks for the eye-candy!!!

Deborah

 

Jonathan,

I'm so NOT a 'bag lady' but more than a few of yours pressed that I.Want./Must.Have. button in me I love the abstract expressionist/Matisse/Haring (!) (with the beautiful Deco clasp) beaded clutch and the brown satin with the gold wedding rings and the Yellow Rose of Texas! The glass fox handle is too <i>too</i>. The last one that's not Coach - 80's or 90's Tanino Crisci (or similar high-ish end Italian)?

For not being a collection that's a pretty nice collection!

Carolyn

 

Another one here who is so not a 'bag lady'.....but with a collection
like this, I could be influenced very easily!

Sue

 

I really love the first one, what can you tell me about it?

 

i have many 'non collections' - but none as impressive as this! anything felt or 3-d appliqued gets my 'want' braincells going...
i'll try and take a snap of my favourite bag later on.

 

Vintage handbags are my Achilles heel, since most clothing won't fit me. I always carry a vintage bag when I go out and about in Boston. I love, love, love the elaborately tooled leather clutch and the scalloped wool with yellow flowers. I have the same telephone cord purse but in a rectangular shape.

Sigh........
Jody

 

Wow, that's some collection--stunning! I've sold all my favorites, much to my regret.... Love your beaded ones, and that multi-colored print clutch with what appears to be a hinged clasp on it! And I've passed on many similar to some you have, because at the time, they weren't "my thing." I really do need to keep a more open mind!

 

The first one is an Edwardian crocheted bag, I think they were at their most popular around 1910 - 1915. That last olive green bag has no label in it, but the buckle on the strap is marked made in France so I don't know who made it.

 

Here are a few of my favorites (I have others, but first I have to find the box!). Dates were given by sellers:

1- 50's Beaded - hand made styled for Segal Reg'd
2 - 20's Swirl
3 - Possible 20's clutch - made by C. R. de Ravenel et Cie, 19 rue de 4 Septembre
4 - 20's Very shiny beaded change purse - had trouble taking pic. - hand made in France
5 - 60's Box purse by Genie







<img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/BoxBag.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Swirl.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/ClothClutch.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/BeadedChangePurse.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket"><img src="http://i32.photobucket.com/albums/d30/alamov/Genie.jpg" alt="Image hosting by Photobucket">

 

Love the 20's brocade clutch... but as you can tell, I am sucker for those!