Mesh bags

sarah-jane

sarah-jane

VFG Member
Hello

I need some help dating these lovely bags, and establishing if they may all be Whiting & Davis.

First is this, defo W&D, but what date? Styling says 30s, but if it is it's in wonderful condition. There is a W&D stamp on the frame with the number 2945. Apols for the fuzzy pic.

wd1.jpg

wd2.jpg

wd3.jpg

wd4.jpg


Then there's another, feels later to me. No label, no stamp, but still good quality. Though the lining needs sewing as you can see.

goldmesh1.jpg

goldmesh2.jpg


Lastly, a small gateneck purse. No label, no stamp.

gateneck1.jpg

gateneck2.jpg


The mesh on these two feels like the mesh on the W&D. Both of these came from the same lady, who holidayed in the US and didn't make economies.

Given that the company had (and has?) the patent, does that mean they must all be W&D? But why no labels?

Any advice gratefully appreciated.
 
l think the first is a 30s, the 2nd a 50s and the last if original and not a WD repro, is a 30s also

hth
 
The first purse could be late 40's but probably 1950's. The other two are also from the 1950's.

Don't be misled by the clasp on the first purse. The Whiting & Davis mesh purses from the early mid 1930's are quite distinctive and in the main oblong with pointed or diamond shape.

Gateneck or accordian purses were being made right up into the 1960's.

Have a look at adverts in vintage magazines and they will give you a good starting point for dating purses. Type in Denver Jewelers Guide in Google and go to Images.

I've seen a lot of wild on dating W & D purses. I haven't seen this book but you might try and get hold of it for reference;

The Perfect Mesh
by Leslie Piña & Donald-Brian Johnson
 
Thanks for your thoughts.

Vertugarde, whilst the clasp on the first is very deco, I wasn't at all wed to the idea of this being a 30s bag...however, the link that Deborah posted (thank you) does show one similar bag dating to 1937. I've also seen lots of dates that appear to be plucked from thin air and had indeed considered buying that book. But it's too expensive, can't justify it.

I tried Denver Jewelers Guide in Google and am only getting some excerpts from the 32 guide appearing on Morning Glory's site.

Sara's point - "and not a WD repro" - how do you tell? If the quality's there, but the label isn't? Maybe you buy the book...!

For what it's worth (not much) I reckon the two unmarked bags are 60s, maybe even 70s for the larger - that 'cross-hatch' finish on the metal frame reminds me of some jewellery my mum bought in the very early 70s.

:clueless: Things this pretty shouldn't make your head hurt.
 
Here in Australia, we had lots of bags made in the 60s-80s that were similar to the last two styles - in fact, the gate neck one is something I really associate with this era. Locally there were several manufacturers, the most popular was Glomesh, there are so many of them from the 60s-80s I don't buy them any more, supply generally exceeds demand unless they're very special.

Nicole
 
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