Please Help with Comptess Alligator Bag

[Lorricav]

Hello,
I recently sold a vintage Comptesse alligator Kelly bag. The buyer has told me she believes the bag is vinyl, not alligator. She told me if it was genuine it would not be shiny, and it would have small air holes in it "as are all skins such as crocodile, alligator & caiman". It was originally purchased in NYC at a very reputable shop for over $400. and represented as alligator. Any help is appreciated.
Thanks,
Lorri

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Hi Lorricav and welcome to the forums.

Can you please share photos of the bag, especially close up pics so we can see the material and date it? Thank you.

I'm not familiar with this brand but a little googling showed that it's a high quality product. As long as authenticity is not in doubt, I can't see it being an inferior material but pics will help.

 

[joules]

You may know that Comptesse is listed in the VFG label resource guide:
http://vintagefashionguild.org/label-resource/comtesse/

There is also an entry for Alligator in the VFG Fur Resource. Perhaps you could share information with your buyer?

Pictures would be helpful in this thread.

 

[Lorricav]

Hi...here are photos of the handbag. Thank you everyone for helping me!
Lorri

 

[Circa Vintage Clothing]

Thank you for the additional photos LorricaV - clear closeups of the material would help but from here, that looks authentic to me.

 

[Lorricav]

Thanks so much Nicole...I had hoped that first image was close-up enough but I will crop another in the morning.
Lorri

 

[joules]

Looks like 'gator to me.

 

[furwise]

Hello, It sounds as though your buyer is just a bit skeptical and confused.

Alligators are in the same family as crocodilians however alligators do not have holes or pores in their scales like crocodiles do.

Crocodiles have sensory hairs in their scales that help them to feel their environment. When tanned the hair is removed leaving a pore or little hole in each scale.

Alligators do not have sensory hairs, these pores, or little holes in their scales.

I would recommend providing this information to your buyer to reassure her that the bag you sold her is indeed authentic alligator. If she still questions the authenticity please provide some additional close up photos.

Alligator skin can be identified by an umbilical scar which is an elongated star shape with a webbing pattern in it. I cannot see that scar in the photos provided but with additional photos I may be able to spot the umbilical scar and outline it for you.
I think you should provide her with this learned information first to clear up her misinformation and then if she needs more information you can provide more photos here if you have them so we can possibly help you to help her further.

 

[retro ruth]

Also she may not realise that alligator, like any other skin, can be highly polished, or even patent finished, to a high shine. This also might be worth pointing out, shiny doesn't have to mean plastic.