answers to AUTHENTICITY questions!!!

[Catbird9]

It might be a replacement. The seller never shows a good picture of the strap right against the main body of the bag so it's hard to see if the leather colors match exactly. I've never seen that style of strap used as a Coach-made replacement on anything except one of the airline versions of the Stewardess.

It's interesting that you ask this question now as I just got a classic pouch with the same strap! We know this strap was available as we have seen it on stewardesses made for the airlines. The one I have is the same length as the strap on a stewardess and the one in the listing seems the same. I don't recall any retail bag that came with a two sided strap that buckled on like this one. It's possible that Coach offered it for new bags for a short period of time but that seems unlikely since we would have seen more of them. It's also possible that the original straps were damaged and Coach offered these as replacements or that an enterprising SA offered them to her customers. Since we don't see them often, it probably wasn't a corporate policy.

Thanks to both of you. This is my first Courier Pouch. I'll be interested to see how closely the strap matches the color of the bag.

 

[Zealous]

Hi, I'd like more information on the strap on the bag in this eBay listing, please. Is it authentic? It's different from the strap shown in the catalog pic. I've read that Coach offered alternative straps back then. Could this be one of them?

http://www.ebay.com/itm/272206487066?_trksid=p2057872.m2749.l2649&ssPageName=STRK:MEBIDX:IT

It might be a replacement. The seller never shows a good picture of the strap right against the main body of the bag so it's hard to see if the leather colors match exactly. I've never seen that style of strap used as a Coach-made replacement on anything except one of the airline versions of the Stewardess.

It's interesting that you ask this question now as I just got a classic pouch with the same strap! We know this strap was available as we have seen it on stewardesses made for the airlines. The one I have is the same length as the strap on a stewardess and the one in the listing seems the same. I don't recall any retail bag that came with a two sided strap that buckled on like this one. It's possible that Coach offered it for new bags for a short period of time but that seems unlikely since we would have seen more of them. It's also possible that the original straps were damaged and Coach offered these as replacements or that an enterprising SA offered them to her customers. Since we don't see them often, it probably wasn't a corporate policy.

Hi. I have two bags with this type of strap.

(all made in NYC)


Pictured for comparison:

(left) UA Stewardess strap
35.5"L x 1"W, no grommets

(middle) Crescent Bag strap
35.5"L x 1.25"W, with grommets

(right) Crescent Bag strap with piping
35.5"L x 1.5"W, with grommets

 

[Hyacinth]

Hi. I have two bags with this type of strap.

(all made in NYC)
View attachment 3326469

Pictured for comparison:

(left) UA Stewardess strap
35.5"L x 1"W, no grommets

(middle) Crescent Bag strap
35.5"L x 1.25"W, with grommets

(right) Crescent Bag strap with piping
35.5"L x 1.5"W, with grommets

All the United Airlines Stewardess Bags we've looked at seem to have come with that double-thick strap, probably for durability and a sleeker appearance.

Are both the Crescent Bags from the same time period? It's surprising to see different straps, but the center bag's strap could be a replacement. It's probably not too unusual for a bag that's at least 20 or 25 years old to have had a strap replaced, the single-thickness style with the edge bindings could look pretty scruffy after years of constant use and with the buckles left in the same position the entire time.

I've never done a top-to-bottom rehab but Whateve has probably done her share of trying to bring that kind of strap back to close-to-original condition, she might be able to add her thoughts on that subject.

 

[Zealous]

All the United Airlines Stewardess Bags we've looked at seem to have come with that double-thick strap, probably for durability and a sleeker appearance.

Are both the Crescent Bags from the same time period? It's surprising to see different straps, but the center bag's strap could be a replacement. It's probably not too unusual for a bag that's at least 20 or 25 years old to have had a strap replaced, the single-thickness style with the edge bindings could look pretty scruffy after years of constant use and with the buckles left in the same position the entire time.

I've never done a top-to-bottom rehab but Whateve has probably done her share of trying to bring that kind of strap back to close-to-original condition, she might be able to add her thoughts on that subject.

Hi, Hyacinth!

Both of my Crescent Bags were made in NYC with the 3-4 digit serial #s.

Doubled leather strap:

Single leather strap with edging:


The one Crescent strap could definitely be a replacement as it was an already well-loved bag when I received it. I had been curious about it too & searched online, at least, to find others similar.

a Pony Express:
http://forum.purseblog.com/showpost.php?p=26949649
a Courier Pouch from Sacs Magnifiques. I can't view the blog but a photo is saved on Pinterest.

 

[Catbird9]

Hi, Hyacinth!

Both of my Crescent Bags were made in NYC with the 3-4 digit serial #s.

Doubled leather strap:
View attachment 3326651
Single leather strap with edging:
View attachment 3326652

The one Crescent strap could definitely be a replacement as it was an already well-loved bag when I received it. I had been curious about it too & searched online, at least, to find others similar.

a Pony Express:
http://forum.purseblog.com/showpost.php?p=26949649
a Courier Pouch from Sacs Magnifiques. I can't view the blog but a photo is saved on Pinterest.

Thanks for posting your pictures and the link. I found the Courier Pouch with the variant strap on Sacs Magnifiques here (scroll down to the Putty Courier):

http://sacsmagnifiques.com/2014/03/spotlight-whats-in-your-closet.html

 

[Zealous]

Thanks for posting your pictures and the link. I found the Courier Pouch with the variant strap on Sacs Magnifiques here (scroll down to the Putty Courier):

http://sacsmagnifiques.com/2014/03/spotlight-whats-in-your-closet.html

You're welcome. I can't contribute to the history info or authenticate but thought I'd share what I do have. It's something I am also curious about.

Btw, your bag looks lovely! It's another vintage style I adore.

 

[Catbird9]

You're welcome. I can't contribute to the history info or authenticate but thought I'd share what I do have. It's something I am also curious about.

Btw, your bag looks lovely! It's another vintage style I adore.

Thanks! I can't wait to see it in person.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

Quick question...

Where some Coach Signature Soft Demi Style 6371 made in 2002? The ones I can find are only from 2004.

I have one with code J2C-6371, that says made in the United States on the creed. if you tell me no then I know it's fake, if you tell me it is possible, then I will post pictures on the authenticate thread, I am not able to take pictures right now.

TIA as usual

 

[Hyacinth]

Quick question...

Where some Coach Signature Soft Demi Style 6371 made in 2002? The ones I can find are only from 2004.

I have one with code J2C-6371, that says made in the United States on the creed. if you tell me no then I know it's fake, if you tell me it is possible, then I will post pictures on the authenticate thread, I am not able to take pictures right now.

TIA as usual

There have never been ANY Signature C fabric bags made in the US.

The most recent confirmed C plant code is from 2000, although there have been a few from 2001 with some unusual details in the stampings. But there would never have been one with the details you described. And that style wasn't even introduced until one of the very early 2005 catalogs, so it's definitely fake. Sorry.

 

[BeenBurned]

Quick question...

Where some Coach Signature Soft Demi Style 6371 made in 2002? The ones I can find are only from 2004.

I have one with code J2C-6371, that says made in the United States on the creed. if you tell me no then I know it's fake, if you tell me it is possible, then I will post pictures on the authenticate thread, I am not able to take pictures right now.

TIA as usual

There have never been ANY Signature C fabric bags made in the US.

The most recent confirmed C plant code is from 2000, although there have been a few from 2001 with some unusual details in the stampings. But there would never have been one with the details you described. And that style wasn't even introduced until one of the very early 2005 catalogs, so it's definitely fake. Sorry.

That happens to be one of the "well faked" bags in that the fakes look like the correct style they're copying.

Just want to note that although it may have first been shown in a 2005 catalog, they were being made in 2004.

 

[WishingonaCoach]

There have never been ANY Signature C fabric bags made in the US.

The most recent confirmed C plant code is from 2000, although there have been a few from 2001 with some unusual details in the stampings. But there would never have been one with the details you described. And that style wasn't even introduced until one of the very early 2005 catalogs, so it's definitely fake. Sorry.

That happens to be one of the "well faked" bags in that the fakes look like the correct style they're copying.

Just want to note that although it may have first been shown in a 2005 catalog, they were being made in 2004.

Thank you both, there were a few red flags, more than just the plant code. What I first noticed was the tassel, very different from those on Ebay.
I will post some pictures tomorrow before I trash it, so there could be comparison pictures that might help others in the future.

I don't really care, this one in particular was given to me.

 

[Hyacinth]

Thank you both, there were a few red flags, more than just the plant code. What I first noticed was the tassel, very different from those on Ebay.
I will post some pictures tomorrow before I trash it, so there could be comparison pictures that might help others in the future.

I don't really care, this one in particular was given to me.

We need to start a trend of giving genuine bags. Just seeing the word "gift" in a listing to be authenticated usually means at least a 50 percent chance that it's fake.

 

[BeenBurned]

We need to start a trend of giving genuine bags. Just seeing the word "gift" in a listing to be authenticated usually means at least a 50 percent chance that it's fake.

Although I can't quite read the creed, this listing (maybe soon-to-be-removed) is a fake but it's an easy one for a novice to miss. I can see the C plant and 6371 style but it looks like just a single character before the C.

Seller meemawsantiques

http://www.ebay.com/itm/Authentic-Coach-Black-tassel-small-bag-6371-Handbag-Purse-/111885956005?hash=item1a0cec33a5%3Ag%3AE94AAOSw5dNWpova&nma=true&si=HYccTfWv5OQJb%252BZqMZgbBqlf9VE%253D&orig_cvip=true&rt=nc&_trksid=p2047675.l2557

 

[soozlz]

Hello all!! I have been looking at vachetta bags and I'm seeing 2 different creeds. One is stamped and says the bag is made from "milled vegetable tanned vachetta" (sorry, but now I can't locate a picture) and one that's printed in gold and says "hand crafted from the finest materials"(borrowed picture). Did they use 2 different style creed patches?

 

[WishingonaCoach]

We need to start a trend of giving genuine bags. Just seeing the word "gift" in a listing to be authenticated usually means at least a 50 percent chance that it's fake.

Certainly, you are right.

Bought, inherited, given as gift... they should be genuine, but how many people are totally unaware of how to make sure or where to ask about authenticity?
Those that like a certain brand, have several bags or make a living reselling on Ebay, are mostly aware of the possible fakes.
Others like my friend that was cleaning her closet and said, I do not use this one no more and it is a Coach, one of those you like... here you can have it, I understand she was not even aware. I found red flags and of course asked here to the experts to be sure.