Like I suspected, this is a Madison Biltmore made in 1996 in Italy. Although the creed wording isn't readable, all Madisons of this type were made in Italy and the "E" in the creed indicates that. The "M" stands for the month of production, which is December, and the "6" is the year - 1996, since Coach started using this numbering system in 1994. The color is rare. It is not a Cashin design nor is it very similar to a Cashin bag. The Madisons were a departure from the original thick soft leather used by Coach. The bags are structured and stiff, very elegant, and the pebbled leather is similar to caviar leather. The size is close to the current Willis.
AUTHENTICATE this COACH
- Thread starter greenpixie
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Thank you! Very helpful. Besides etsy and ebay, is there anywhere I should be searching for Bonnie cashin bags? Goodwill I suppose and other thrift shops? I am only about 1 week into searching for my first vintage bag and I love it already!
I also took a closer look at the creed, is that a bullseye I see? Would that be from the outlets, did they have factory stores that received FP deletes? And what do yo make of the sellers story about it being vintage when it is not, seller claims it s from the 50's or 60's....
I have been buying vintage Coach bags for almost two years, yet I have never found a Bonnie Cashin at a thrift store. I guess it depends on how good the thrift stores are where you live. A lot of thrift stores will remove the more valuable bags to sell at auction or online. Even with ebay, I've never found a Bonnie with the Mexican striped lining in my price range. The oldest Coach bag I got is from the early 70's. If you aren't used to vintage, most of these bags are in pretty rough shape.
Read, study and Bookmark the Salearea Coach Guides posted in the Guides section at Ebay, especially the ones on Creeds, Serial Numbers and Italian-made bags. In fact, it wouldn't hurt to read all of them - and go back once a month to re-read them and refresh your memory:
http://search.reviews.ebay.com/members/salearea_W0QQcpnameZmembersQQprZsaleareaQQuqtZg
I think I already explained that the seller was mistaken in the age and the original price. A lot of sellers don't know how to read the creeds, don't know anything about Coach, and exaggerate the age of their item. Yes, they had factory stores back then, and that is a bullseye.
Both bags are genuine. The Carrier is a little newer than the Musette, probably 1989 to '91 for the Carrier and mid-80s to 1987 for the Musette.
Thank you! Sorry for the uninformed questions, but where does the liability lie if someone is advertising an item from a certain time and it is inaccurate, as in the example of this bag? I see how important it is to educate yourself. Thanks for sharing your knowledge!
It's better to remember that folks using the purse forum represent a very small portion of online eBay bidders. I felt the same as you when I lost my first auction after using the services of the purse forum but realized that I'd won quite a few auctions before I found out about it, too. At least you know whether to bid on an item now. Happy bidding!
I must be dumb! What does HTF stand for? I'm trying to figure it out but it involves words not allowed on tpf!
I think it depends on how much the auction site does to protect buyers. I think on ebay you might have a chance of winning a "item not as described" dispute. I don't know anything about etsy's dispute process. It is better to find out beforehand than to have to go through the dispute process.
I think maybe these were missed as it was so early. Could I please have some help authenticating and identifying? Thanks.
. I still find that bag adorable even if its from 1996 - Status