Tag Archives: tooled leather

GREAT “NEW” FIND – VINTAGE HANDMADE TOOLED LEATHER WALLET

An unexpected find! I’ve had little to no opportunity lately to be in the field, but yesterday I stumbled upon this wonderful mid-century wallet. It is beautifully tooled, personalized and in pristine condition. Couldn’t be better! As you know, loyal followers, I really love tooled leather pieces from back in the day.

This one is so perfectly done. The workmanship is exquisite and the design is classic tooled leather art. I have only one such wallet, so far, and will love adding this to it’s best match among my leather art handbags.

Thank you MAG (or Margaret?) for passing it along and to my fellow sleuths who have stuck with me during this underground period. There will be more regular posts, probably beginning late this month but one never really knows – so, stay tuned . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

LAST MINUTE FINDS! HERE’S A UNIQUE TOOLED LEATHER HANDBAG, HAND-CRAFTED AND SIGNED

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OLYMPUS DIGITAL CAMERA Just when I think I’m thwarted, never fails!  I made a spur of the moment decision to go sleuthing once more and . . . . . Out peeked this lovely older tooled leather purse that I had to have.

The reason for that is the images – acorns and a stag on back – which I haven’t seen in a while.  It’s also very nicely done and has a shape that I particularly like.

The maker lined it in a thin, soft leather – which is unusual – of a greenish color – very unusual. Although some stones are missing from the buckle, I may or may not replace them.  So, a fitting way to be leaving Las Vegas.  My gamble paid off . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG: MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

ANOTHER CLASSIC MID-CENTURY HANDBAG FIND!

I already have many tooled leather handbags in my collection, but it’s always open to another unique and high-quality item.  These purses are SO special, because they are hand-made, one-of-a-kind and often tell a story.  This one is beautifully-done, has older traditional motifs and a DOG(!), which always captures my heart.  It was probably a tribute to a beloved pet and is signed by the maker – no relation to me, but what a coincidence!

And, in beautiful condition – I’ll enjoy this one for a long time.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

BEAUTIFULLY TOOLED LEATHER BAGS FROM MEXICO – CIRCA 1960’S – 1980’S

BEAUTIFULLY TOOLED LEATHER BAGS FROM MEXICO - CIRCA 1960'S - 1980'S

Soft, supple leather inside and out – these bags were made in Mexico and probably picked up by vacationers who used them very little, if at all, after their trip.  Both have vintage hardware, but the designs – especially on the left-hand purse – are more modern.

On the right, we see a traditional floral/cactus pattern similar to those made in the western United States while the left-hand one has a farm worker pictured and, on the back, the Mayan calendar.

What I like best about these handbags, whether made in the ’40’s or the ’80’s is that they are 100% hand-made and usually the workmanship and quality of the leather are excellent.  Plus, they are SO distinctive and unusual . . . . . . . . . . always a priority for me.

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

FABULOUS SURPRISE FIND – REEDCRAFT LEATHER PURSE FROM THE 1920’S – 1930’S

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What a rare and wonderful discovery!  In excellent condition – perhaps never used.  Only some minor discolorations from age or storage and almost 100 years old.

These handbags have beautifully finished leather and fun hardware touches.  A tri-color Bakelite or celluloid clasp ornament and even a little coin purse stashed inside.  When you think that this was at the beginning of the Great Depression with war looming in Europe, it puts a different slant on this pretty product.  The company was formed in 1928, just a year before the stock market crash.

Despite it all, people did find ways to enjoy life in the 1930’s – some of the most fun and outrageously glamorous movies were made during that time, some of the most luxurious and over-the-top fashion plus beautiful Art Deco furniture, architecture and ornamentation.

“Pack up your troubles in your old kit bag and smile, smile, smile . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . ..”

MORGANA MARTIN, THE MAGICVINTAGESPY

BLOG:  MAGICVINTAGESPY.COM

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

    ALWAYS A WELCOME DISCOVERY – CLASSIC MID-CENTURY TOOLED LEATHER BELT

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    I’m including a little close-up photo here of the essential features of these wonderful hand-made belts from the 1940’s, 1950’s and 1960’s.  The best were made by artisans in the Southwest U.S. and Mexico but many home-leatherworkers became quite good at the craft and could rival them, or almost.

    Handbags, purses, wallets and belts were the most common items made but once I saw a full set of luggage at an auction.  Almost got it.

    The features that distinguish these pieces from newer and less worthy ones are primarily three:  1.  high quality leather  2.  deep carefully-done tooling in traditional designs, with nice finishing and  3.  an adjustable snap-on/off at the buckle end and high quality silver or silver-plate buckle.

    Rare enough to be worth pouncing on whenever seen . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .