Thank you for these insights and for the verification. This level of detail makes it all the more interesting for me (and I'm sure for other readers) and I really appreciate you taking the time to write this.
Thanks also for talking about the particular "Made in U.S.A." creed as well because that was another question that I had about that period. This is giving me an opportunity for me to learn so much more about this brand. I feel that for me personally I've had an easier time learning the formats for the later 1990s bags (where the words "United States" are integrated into the body of the creed).
But I find that I am questioning myself when I see the "Made in the United States" creed. More specifically, I pose the question to myself: "but was this particular model of bag made back in 1989/90." Which is why this forum is so helpful.
Thank you again, Hyacinth.
If what I've stated in the Salearea Guides still leaves questions in peoples' minds, let me explain how I came up with most, if not all, of the information I posted in them.
To the best of my recollection, every detail in those Guides was actually
researched, NOT copied from anyone else's "guide", on the internet, Ebay or anywhere else. Some information was collected over the years from posts from both here at tPF and from the old Ebay Shoes and Purses forum, from members who I knew took pains to get their facts right and was then verified by me. NOTHING made it into the Salearea Guides unless I or a trusted expert could show examples of what they were claiming.
Things like dates for various stamps, creeds, serial numbers, etc, were gathered over several years and are still being double and triple-checked by me from a combination of catalog dates including when specific styles were introduced compared to as many examples of that style I could find for sale with adequate photos to compare availability dates with the creed(s) and serial numbers found in the examples. For the last 15 years I've kept files and notes on hundreds of styles with details like the intro date, the date the item last appeared in any catalog, postings from other members sharing their experiences with that particular style, etc.
It took between 2 and 6 months for me to coordinate all that information, from the time I agreed to write the Salearea Guides until they were finally posted at Ebay back in 2011-2012. I've continued to collect and modify that information since then, and that's why there are differences between the original Guides and the ones posted her at tPF a year or two ago. Everything in them has been checked and re-checked and corrected when necessary. I may have missed a few details but will get to them eventually if I ever decide to do another update (the last one took months though and I really don't want to repeat the process again). None of those details are a Copy & Paste from anyone else, and I stand behind them, although a few details like the exact dates for certain changes in creed and serial number details may still be a bit too restrictive. But the basic details are accurate, the fine tuning can always be corrected on the fly, that's why we left that thread open in case specific details needed to be tweaked a bit more. Anyone who finds a mistake is welcome to contact me with any information and proofs they have available.
So if you're concerned about how well I did my homework, please don't be. Between Ebay and tPF, I've found a lot of people with a lot of solid experience who filled in a lot of blanks. I'm not stupid enough to think I could do everything on my own and I hope they know how much I appreciate their knowledge and help. The research done for the Salearea Guides is solid, and if I didn't think they could be depended on, they wouldn't be posted here.
I know that's not what your question was, but after more than 10 years of trying to piece together dates such as when the Made In The United States creeds were in use, then Yes, you can depend on what I've said in the Salearea Guides. And I stand behind the other information in them as well.
Sorry for all the boring details, I tend to ramble on a lot once I get wound up, but I just want to clarify what kind of time and information went into the process. There's no shame in taking pride in your work if it's done well and you make every possible effort to get the facts right.
Finito.
