I picked up some purses in that last big buy. One is still in the freezer, but these two are ready to go. I think I have this right, but I want to be sure, because we know purse people are particular. Is this shoulder bag Lizard or Snake? And do we thinkit's 50s? <img src=http://members.aol.com/montyholly/brownlizardpurse1.jpg> And is this handbag Alligator? And also 50s? <img src=http://members.aol.com/montyholly/brownalligatorpurse1.jpg> The last one is black and is the same skin as the first one, but a nicer purse with a doeskin lining. Thanks all! Hollis
I think the first bag (brown bag with metal clasp) looks like lizard (I'm not an expert so you should see what other people say). From the photo of the second bag, I can't tell if it is embossed leather, alligator, or crocodile because the photo is not a close-up. If you post another photo of that bag (one that is a close-up and showns the texture better), I'll take a look and let you know what I think. Like I said, I am not an expert. But I do own 3 alligator handbags and 2 crocodile handbags.
Thanks Alicia and Liz - here's the montage of the second purse - iI hope this hepls! <img src=http://members.aol.com/montyholly/brownalligatorpurse.jpg> Hollis
The texture does not look like my croc bags (I don't see hair follicle marks on the scales--my croc bags and my croc shoes have those). I am not familiar with the maker. Perhaps someone else will chime in to help you out. If you post another photo (a close up of the larger scales) I'll take another look (from the photos you posted so far, I can't be absolutely positive that it is genuine alligator hide and not embossed leather). By the way, how do you post photos in messages? I'm new to the group and am just learning how to use the system.
I will leave off the <> brackets at the beginning and end so it won't give you a red pizza box: img src=http://yourhost/yournameathost/nameofphoto.jpg Hollis
I chime in with lizard, rather than snake, on the first. ...and alligator v. crocodile on the second. I've found this site really helpful on that latter quagmire... http://www.alligatorfur.com/retail/leather.html . Steph
hee hee. The one was really musty. So I gave it a hard freeze, let it warm up, saddle soaped it and am now freezing it again to kill that smell. Hollis
LOL - I was wondering about the freezer, too - thought, hmmm, I doubt they have <i>moths</i>... I can't say if the first is lizard or snakeskin - leaning towards lizard but can't tell you why. But it looks late 60's or early 70's to me - it's the saddlebag shape and the harness-type hardware. Those are comments to be taken with what comes in a big round cannister with a label that says When it Rains, it Pours - what little I know about handbags I've learned here. I'm possibly the only member of the VFG who does not own one 'good' purse - although I've sold a few Carolyn
I vote for lizard on the first. The second is tricky, I have seen some really excellent imitations of croc items. I thought for sure that a purse I had was Croc but found out it was only leather and a really good imitation. I think that Alligator is easy to do the same thing with. I have a belt that is marked alligator and I wouldn't of known it if it hadn't been marked, at least not for sure. I have to say that yours surely looks like alligator! I will share some information that I have had for a while but have found that it isn’t always the case but gives you a basis to go from anyway.<p> The fakes will usually have a repeated pattern, with the exact sizes and shapes of the fake scales being duplicated again and again where the real thing is never exactly the same from one scale to the next.<p> Crocodile will have a small "bump" in the center of each scale. I think I have heard this referred to as the "cuticle" This is generally hard to fake and if you have an item with these bumps, it is probably real Croc. It is just a little raised spot in the center of each and every scale. Crocodile is a more rounded scale and Alligator is rectangular with more squared corners. On both, the smaller the scale is the more rounded it will tend to be.<p> Like I said earlier this I have found isn't always the case if you have a quallity imitation!
