Hi! My names Rebecca. My grandmother recently passed and while going through old photos of her I came along one of her with a purse. I know this might be a LONG shot but it doesn’t hurt to ask! Something about this bag is drawing me to it and I must find out the brand/ or where it is from. If anyone has any idea or has seen similar bag designs please reach out. I’ll post the photos of her with the bag, they’re the best I have. Thank you!!!
Please help me find this purse!
- Thread starter Becca4755
- Start date
Welcome to the VFG forums!
It is difficult to see details in your photos. It looks like the bag might be crocheted? Or maybe corde? What would be you best guess as to when the photo would have been taken, based on how old your grandmother probably was at the time?
It is difficult to see details in your photos. It looks like the bag might be crocheted? Or maybe corde? What would be you best guess as to when the photo would have been taken, based on how old your grandmother probably was at the time?
It's this purse you mean? I agree it looks leather by the way it shines on one edge, or possibly a faux leather, and with some kind of embellishment on the front. As far as I can tell it has a long strap. If you can try and get a closer and clearer photo (of the photo) showing just the purse, someone might know more. It's a long shot as you say, but if that embellishment is distinctive, someone might recognise it.
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
The shape is often referred to as a tulip shape, it that helps a tiny bit in the searching for a similar purse. I get a sense of 1950s. As has been said, knowing what the embellishment is and what it is made of will help.
These are the BESt Photos that I can get of it. If it helps I added a side view of the bag too. I know they’re not the clearest but some of the photos are zoomed because the originals were taken far away.
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Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
At first I thought it might be florals, but now it appears it may be some Royal Crest?
Rue_de_la_Paix
VFG Member
I suppose, but I doubt it. Royal crests were hugely popular after QE2 took the throne, and certainly before as well.
Hello Rebecca,
I've gone squint looking at the crest on the bag and while I agree with Barbara it does look like a crest on the front, it is elaborate and does remind me a little of the Portuguese, Spanish riding schools or their family crests, ( Polish possibly ), was she an Equestrian?
It is a day time shoulder bag, the shine off of it does suggest leather, real or faux but I can't envisage this lady wearing a faux leather bag.
This style of bag was popular from around 1952 through to early 60s
I'm asking because the chimp photo was possibly taken in Willow Grove or Woodside, Philadelphia, I suspect Willow, if not snapped by your grandfather, reminds me of a " get your photo taken with a chimp 50 cent, dollar a time visitors photo".
1957, how old would your grandmother have been at that time?
Do you think she might have purchased the bag in Philadelphia?
Hello! Thank you for replying! So I was doing some searching myself and came across a “heraldic motif” which kind of resembles the emblem on her bag. But you made the point of being an equestrian, she wasn’t one exactly, she didn’t ride them but she did grow up on a farm in the middle of Philadelphia in the early 1900s. I would say her favorite animal were horse definitely, she had many horses she tended to.
I’m not sure exactly where the picture was taken off the top of my head, but it is labeled on the back of the photo so when I get to it I will be sure to reply with the answer.
They were on their honey moon up the east coast the United States. It could’ve been taken by my grandfather because there are other photos taken but him by not sure exactly.
In 1957 my grandmother was 38.
I do believe she purchased the bag in Philadelphia. She always talk about how in her day, Kensington ave was the shopping place to be.
That kind of fits my train of thought,--mind you my 20 questions doesn't help ID the bag but what it does do is save chasing a red herring in as much as I think the bag didn't come with the motif but was applied later, maybe when new, maybe your Grandmother's efforts, in the 50s, it was something done, did she have an artistic bent.
Thanks, I wasn't being nosey, just processing--eliminating, narrowing the field so to speak--research.
Edit, as an after thought, it is possible, working on a farm/ranch that had horses, saddles, your Grandmother had the bag carved and the artwork is hers--and you could only do that with leather at the time.
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That makes sense, you’re the second person to say maybe she placed it on herself. Which makes me think if she did that then maybe it’s stored away in one of her many closets. It’s a process to go through everything. I looked at the picture again and it’s from Storyland, lake George, New York. They used to make their own horse shoes and what not so maybe it’a a good guess!!!
She also has these in her house on her wall which sort of resemble the emblem!!
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It's close.
You posted a photo of your Grandmother standing next to a white paddock fence with the bag, I looked at it a couple of times, something struck me but I ignored it, then your picture of the candle holder, I looked at the photo again.
Is it possible the motiff is standing proud of the bag?
Some things about your photos, your Grandmother, I have a sense she kept that bag and you will find it in one of her closets.
Good luck.
Pinkcoke
Alumni
I would recommend getting in contact with The Vintage Purse Museum - [email protected] as they are specialists in this area and have thousands of bags (many american) in their collection. I suspect they may have an idea of the manufacturer from the shape or embellishment. Do come back and let us know if you find anything out!