Tag Archives: purse

VINTAGE HANDMADE, TOOLED – LEATHER KELLY BAG

    Yes, yes, yes, ANOTHER one. I just can’t pass up true vintage hand-tooled leather bags. Maybe because they’re always different from one another. The designs, while traditional, are all unique and sometimes very personalized.

    This is the only one I have of exactly this shape or with this motif. Love the rigid frame that gives it a very roomy interior. It could be from the 1940’s up to the early 1960’s. Super convenient roomy size.

    Designs on leather handbags were very popular beginning in the 1920’s(?) and 1930’s but the earlier ones may have been stamped designs. Western-style and Mexican hand-carved designs came a little bit later and the bags usually tended to be bigger. Then it became all the rage to make these bags at home with lessons, leather-craft materials and tools from suppliers like Tandy. There’s nothing like a truly handcrafted piece. Some, especially the oldest ones, are absolutely beautiful. Today, they are real treasures!

    More to come – stay tuned . .. . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

    BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

    BEAUTIFUL ITALIAN LEATHER HANDBAG WITH A GREAT STORY

    This beauty was made in Florence, Italy and has a fantastic story. First, I’ll tell my part –

    On a Mediterranean cruise, I was listening to the excursions director tell about the ports of call that we’d be stopping in.  Part of her presentation was to highlight the special products available in each place, in case we wanted to go shopping.  She flashed a photo of this handbag made in Florence, Italy on the screen and I just about jumped out of my seat.  I had discovered this one above just like it about 2 months before while vintage-hunting in my neighborhood!  When I told the excursions director my story, she congratulated me and said that these bags sell for 300+ Euros!!

    Italy has long been known for its exceptional leather goods – some say it’s #1 in the world. This purse is certainly a good example.  It has a gorgeous red leather lining with special internal pockets which I have never seen before.  Each one closes with a snap clasp like old cigarette cases used to.  The outside clasp is like other true vintage ones I have seen that self-lock when the purse is closed.  After I brought it home, I added a black and red leather billfold which I had found on a previous thrifting expedition.  It coordinates perfectly!

    This handbag was styled after one which was made decades ago BY SPECIAL ORDER FOR GRACE KELLY, probably after she had married Prince Ranier of Monaco in 1956 and was living as Princess Grace in Europe.  Can you imagine how my little vintage-loving heart swooned when I learned that?!!!

    What a great surprise!  Nothing could have added to the joy and mystique of my first cruise experience like this did. You just never know . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING & SUMMER BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE’

    TWO TRUE VINTAGE PURSES FOR SPRING BY MORRIS MOSCOWITZ & ANDE'

    These two are very special, though they may not seem so at first glance. Let me tell you why –

    The coral-color clutch is by Morris Moscowitz, a maker of fine handbags until about 1975.  This one is from the Fifties or very early Sixties.  It is fabric on the outside – a linen/rayon blend is what it looks like – and fabric-lined inside (much more nicely than anything I see in the mid-priced range today).  Love the color and the fabric exterior – great for Spring and Summer.  You will find the maker’s name printed in gold inside – MM with the full name in small letters below.  Beware, as always, of logos that look similar, but are not authentic.

    The second one can double as a clutch or handbag, made of imitation leather with a fabric lining.  It is by Ande’.   Purses by this maker, in my experience,  were not high-end items but their designs were always innovative and creative and they are nicely made.  For example, this one has a make-up mirror that folds out on a hinge.  You’ll never lose or break this one!  Of course, it would usually be stored inside the purse, as the handle can be, too.  Notice the Lucite clasp.

    What else makes these handbags wonderful?  Remember, they are at least 50 years old and have stood up exceptionally well.  Their construction speaks to the quality of the materials and the workmanship in the manufacture of them which is something that we, unfortunately, see very rarely today.

    I’ve discovered several of these in my various vintage-hunting episodes and they are each different and distinctive.
    Little details are always a surprise! You just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    ANOTHER MID-CENTURY HANDBAG FIND, BUT SO DIFFERENT!

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    Handmade by someone in the 1960’s – 1970’s era, this was a popular tote-style purse during that time.  Many were handcrafted and decorated.  It’s fun to see where she ran out of one green thread and switched to another – true vintage fashions always have a story to tell.

    Back in the day many women made these bags from scratch or from kits.  Macrame’ was common.  Unless a home wood shop was handy, the handles would be purchased and then she’d go from there in whatever fabric or weaving she chose.  Some would even be lined, but usually the handcrafted bags were not.  Designs were as original as the people who made them.  I like the pretty Spring feeling on this one, and the lavender color.

    Hadn’t come across one of these in a while but, you just never know . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

    HOW ABOUT SOME HANDBAGS?

    The time is approaching when I’ll be able to do investigating in the field again. In the meantime, I’d still like to review and share some of the highlights and history of my true vintage purse collection.

    Don’t know about you, but I’ve been so put off in recent years by outrageously expensive “designer bags” with mediocre styling and quality. The elegant and classic or funky and fun examples from the past, many of which have survived to this day, are way ahead on almost all counts, in my opinion.

    I’ll get some posts started for you later this week. Stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

    MORE TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY ACCESSORIES – IN RARE CONDITION

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    TRUE VINTAGE 1950’S FASHION ACCESSORIES

    Look what cropped up yesterday?  3 beautiful accessories from the Fifties – handbags and a silk scarf.

    What’s so special about these is their rarity and excellent condition.  The scarf is perfect in gorgeous silk, with no snags, holes or hemming problems.

    The raffia purse is rare and very clean.  The weaving is undamaged, as is the liner!  It’s only issue is a bit of discoloration in places – probably from sun.

    The white purse is hard to see in detail because of the glare but is totally covered in TINY white seed beads.  Excepting for a few missing beads near the clasp, there is no damage, inside or out.  It was made in Belgium for Bonwit Teller.

    Couldn’t be more pleased. . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

     

    TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HOLIDAY VELVET DRESSY HANDBAG

    TRUE VINTAGE 1960’S HOLIDAY VELVET DRESSY HANDBAG

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    When I discovered this purse, it was the clasp as well as the fabric that hooked me.  I discovered several dark green velvet garments around the same time and you could almost think that that they were made to go together. So, this was a re-purposing & recycling triumph as well as a true vintage score.

    Just right with your dressy St. Pat’s party dress.  Doesn’t get better than that . .. . . . . . ..  well, yes, it does, but that will be another story . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE MID-CENTURY LEATHER CLUTCH PURSE

    ELEGANT TRUE VINTAGE 1950S/'60S LEATHER CLUTCH FOR THE VALENTINE'S DAY BASH

    Accessories are EVERYTHING to an ensemble, so what to carry on an impromptu dressy occasion?   A true vintage bag, of course. This one doesn’t steal the show but demonstrates your exquisite taste and knowledge of quality.  I have many dressy bags, but this one is often my go-to choice.

    It’s of gold leather and is lined in black rayon. The inside pocket, of course, contains its own little make-up mirror for touching up your lipstick throughout the night. No self-respecting true vintage handbag would come without one. If you’re a really successful sleuth, it will still be in it’s original little paper envelope.

    The accessories that you carry or wear (this includes shoes) raise or lower the impression of your entire outfit. Genuine leather is always a preferred material, and quality construction.  Remember the phrase “well-heeled” to describe a person who is well-dressed and tasteful, referring especially to their choice of footwear?  That’s what it means!

    It’s not the point to look for something expensive or flashy (better NOT flashy) if you are successful in the hunt for true vintage fashion.  It’s so much fun to spot that perfect bag hiding and waiting . . . . . you just never know . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    1930’S(?) DRESSY LEATHER CLUTCH BAG WITH ORNAMENTS

    Pretty taupe color leather and cast metal decoration with little cabochon “stones” in pastel colors. I especially like the leather wrist strap and the little dangle on the front.

    Inside, the capacity is small with rayon lining and two little pockets. Delightfully clean and with the obligatory tissue paper for storage. Sweet!

    That’s it for right now but, wonder what’s next . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

    MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

    BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM