Category Archives: crocodile

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1940’s – 1950’S

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950'S

I have TONS of true vintage handbags and won’t show them all, but I’ll post examples of really lovely ones or unusual styles. This one is croc-embossed leather with out-of-the-ordinary style and color.

True vintage handbags are one of the greatest bargains available, wherever you find them. Today’s purses don’t hold a candle to them in terms of quality or design.

The leather is usually of a high grade and the workmanship is exceptional. Hardware is also more interesting and of better quality than most used today.

Some even came with a small mirror included inside, in a cellophane or waxed paper envelope.  Although they sometimes are not meant to hold a lot of stuff, they are elegant and send the message of strong fashion sense and good taste.

And, it is possible to find true vintage bags that are quite roomy, if you know exactly what you are looking for. This one has plenty of room, even for a small pair of binoculars . . .. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM

RARE MID-CENTURY REPTILE CLUTCH HANDBAG – THIS TIME IN CROCODILE

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Remember the lovely lizard bag?  Well, here’s a sister from the same era, but in croc.  This one may be a bit older, due to the restrictions that were imposed on crocodile leather and other exotic skins after WWII.  As with fur, I’m not a fan of animal skins for our clothing and accessories and won’t buy any new ones;  but the true vintage examples are collectible pieces of fashion history to me.

As is the other one, this one’s a beauty.  It has a full-leather interior and several pockets.  Although there are some apparent discolorations on the outside (they might even be natural to the skin itself), it’s very clean and undamaged inside – always a delight when discovering an old handbag!

So, surprised again!  I always love that, and the surprises keep on coming . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950’S

INTERESTING TRUE VINTAGE LEATHER HANDBAG FROM THE 1950'S.

TRUE VINTAGE GENUINE ALLIGATOR HANDBAG 1940’S – 1950’S

TRUE VINTAGE GENUINE ALLIGATOR HANDBAG 1940S - 1950S

This beauty is one of my favorites. I really had an OMG experience when I found it because alligator skins had been outlawed in North America for decades. If I did see a purse in a shop that sold vintage it would be very expensive but, I was able to buy this one “for a song”, and with a song in my heart!

It shows it’s age a bit, but is entitled to. I like to think of Mata Hari carrying it while on one of her undercover missions. Lined in leather, the maker’s stamp in gold tells that it was made in Panama. Love the interesting clasp.

True vintage alligator, crocodile, lizard and snake skin purses are good any time of year and with almost any outfit because they are a classic. I always use a good leather conditioning product on my collection at least once a year . That will help to keep the skins supple and prevent cracking and drying

What a history these older items have! I wonder about all the places that this one had been during it’s life in some fashionable woman’s wardrobe. Did she buy it in Panama or some other tropical locale? What was she doing there (and who was she with)? You just never know . . . . . .
MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BOOK:  HOW TO FIND THE BEST IN VINTAGE FASHION – AVAILABLE ON AMAZON.COM