AUTHENTICATE this COACH!

[Mogambo66]

I'm no expert on this style, but I'm nearly positive that the creed should say something like made out of python snake, rather than cowhide.

Thanks Whateve! Do you know how I can tell if it is genuine python rather than embossed leather? I don't think I've ever owned a python bag. Would the scales lift on a genuine python like they do on embossed leather?

 

[Two.time.bags]

The bag appears to be an authentic watermelon tote from the late 70s or early 80s. It was made in New York City. What worries me a little is that the interior doesn't look like it is navy but that might be from the flash. If it isn't navy all the way through, then that means the bag has been dyed or painted. In fact, you can see blue marks in the zipper picture that look like paint. The leather is also awfully wrinkled. Normally these bags have stiff, smooth leather.

I wondered about the light coloured interior too. In the third pic you can see the bottom seam is blue and there seems to be lighter areas where the handle joins the bag and across the top of the inside pocket. The zip looks blue but its probably black. It would be worth asking the seller a few questions.

 

[Two.time.bags]

It's not made by Coach.

She doesn't show any markings so I don't know whether it's marked as "Coach" or if the seller just thinks it's Coach. If it's not marked, it's probably considered to be designer inspired although Coach (itself) could legitimately argue infringement because the pattern is close enough that it can confuse buyers.

If there's a creed and/or if the hardware or other parts are marked, it's counterfeit.

Thanks BB. I thought as much and am relieved that Coach didn't make it! I notice that it's been removed.

 

[whateve]

Thanks Whateve! Do you know how I can tell if it is genuine python rather than embossed leather? I don't think I've ever owned a python bag. Would the scales lift on a genuine python like they do on embossed leather?

The Julianne made with that style number was made of real python. The scales would probably lift even more than on embossed leather.

 

[Mogambo66]

Please see post #1 for the posting format and information we need to see.

Especially in cases like this, we need to see where you purchased the bag.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-855067.html#post26197404

Hi Beenburned. I couldn't post an auction link, because I purchased the bag privately from someone who said she was an ex Coach employee who worked in design and development (which is why I figured it was authentic). Even she didn't seem to know much about the bag. Maybe it wasn't a project she worked on, but she said that the bag was a "confirm sample" and that it would have been made from the exact same materials as the production bag. Let me know if there is any other information I can provide, but I don't know much more than that.

 

[BeenBurned]

Hi experts! I'm not sure if this is the proper place to post, so if not, my apologies. I recently acquired this bag, and I'm almost positive that it is authentic, but I haven't been able to find out too much information about it. I believe it is called the Python Inlaid Op Art Julianne. The serial number is E0893-12987. Does anyone know what the production numbers might have been, and whether this bag would have ever made it to the outlets? If this is the wrong forum, could you direct me to a place where I might be able to find out a little more information about it? Thanks in advance for sharing all of your knowledge!

I do not know whether this bag is fake or not -- BUT

I'm not really comfortable with the creed although I don't know what the creed for 12987 is supposed to look like.

The serial number seems slightly too large and too close to the stitching, the shape of the creed doesn't look quite right and the entire stamping resembles what I've seen on the 5-star fakes from the Philippines, the border looks too narrow and I can't find a single python bag with a metallic leather creed.

 

[UnderTheStars]

Item: Coach gold and brown satin finish shoulder/ satchel in great shape 15448
Listing number: 191078382840
Seller: lilironlady1000
Link: http://www.ebay.com/itm/Coach-gold-...840?pt=US_CSA_WH_Handbags&hash=item2c7d28bcf8
Comments: (please be real, this is one of my must have bags. i think it is, but i need to double check. thanks!)

 

[Mogambo66]

The Julianne made with that style number was made of real python. The scales would probably lift even more than on embossed leather.

Thanks Whateve! That's good to know. I was told that the bag was brand new, but there are already scales lifting on parts of the bag (mostly on the corners and on the edges of the inlaid Cs), so I was kind of questioning whether it was brand new and/or real python. I have an embossed python (the Chelsea python hobo) and this just feels different, so I am pretty sure it is real. I can't explain why the creed reads 'cowhide' unless they changed the wording on the later production bags.

 

[BeenBurned]

Hi Beenburned. I couldn't post an auction link, because I purchased the bag privately from someone who said she was an ex Coach employee who worked in design and development (which is why I figured it was authentic). Even she didn't seem to know much about the bag. Maybe it wasn't a project she worked on, but she said that the bag was a "confirm sample" and that it would have been made from the exact same materials as the production bag. Let me know if there is any other information I can provide, but I don't know much more than that.

The "employee" reference is scary to me.

We've seen some scary fakes (close "good" ones) where sellers claimed to be employees who purchased samples.

Here's one post concerning a seller, randiesstuff. She claimed to be an employee who sold "samples" and her items seemed to be fakes. Note that randiesstuff no longer sells Coach. I wonder why.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-546.html#post24289076

I'm sorry but I'm not comfortable with the "history" you state because it raises red flags in my mind.

Maybe someone else has the same bag and can compare the details.

 

[Mogambo66]

I do not know whether this bag is fake or not -- BUT

I'm not really comfortable with the creed although I don't know what the creed for 12987 is supposed to look like.

The serial number seems slightly too large and too close to the stitching, the shape of the creed doesn't look quite right and the entire stamping resembles what I've seen on the 5-star fakes from the Philippines, the border looks too narrow and I can't find a single python bag with a metallic leather creed.

I appreciate your input Beenburned. Wouldn't this be a fairly obscure style to fake though? I thought the fakes were mostly limited to the more common signature and vintage styles. The craftmanship and the quality on the rest of the bag seems excellent in general, and most fakes look fairly obvious to me (other than the vintage styles because I don't know too much about them).

 

[whateve]

I appreciate your input Beenburned. Wouldn't this be a fairly obscure style to fake though? I thought the fakes were mostly limited to the more common signature and vintage styles. The craftmanship and the quality on the rest of the bag seems excellent in general, and most fakes look fairly obvious to me (other than the vintage styles because I don't know too much about them).

Every style has been faked and some of them are scary good. If it were me, I would go to someone who could verify if it was real python, and if it were, that would be good enough for me. I doubt a fake maker would use real python.

 

[Mogambo66]

Every style has been faked and some of them are scary good. If it were me, I would go to someone who could verify if it was real python, and if it were, that would be good enough for me. I doubt a fake maker would use real python.

Do you have any suggestions as to who I would take it to?

The "employee" reference is scary to me.

We've seen some scary fakes (close "good" ones) where sellers claimed to be employees who purchased samples.

Here's one post concerning a seller, randiesstuff. She claimed to be an employee who sold "samples" and her items seemed to be fakes. Note that randiesstuff no longer sells Coach. I wonder why.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-546.html#post24289076

I'm sorry but I'm not comfortable with the "history" you state because it raises red flags in my mind.

Maybe someone else has the same bag and can compare the details.

Now you've got me nervous! I bought one other bag from the same person. This one was not a sample or anything. The seller said she bought it herself at a Coach store and never used it. Can you take a look at it and let me know if you think it is authentic? The serial number is hard to read, but it looks like E1168-18266. Please let me know if there are any other areas you need me to photograph. Thanks in advance!

 

[Mogambo66]

The "employee" reference is scary to me.

We've seen some scary fakes (close "good" ones) where sellers claimed to be employees who purchased samples.

Here's one post concerning a seller, randiesstuff. She claimed to be an employee who sold "samples" and her items seemed to be fakes. Note that randiesstuff no longer sells Coach. I wonder why.
http://forum.purseblog.com/coach-shopping/authenticate-this-coach-763164-546.html#post24289076

I'm sorry but I'm not comfortable with the "history" you state because it raises red flags in my mind.

Maybe someone else has the same bag and can compare the details.

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was able to Google the Coach employee's name and find her profile on Linkedin which verifies a 6 year employment history at Coach. Not that I don't think people lie on that site as well, but I don't know if someone would bother to go to that much trouble in order to sell a few bags.

 

[BeenBurned]

Now you've got me nervous! I bought one other bag from the same person. This one was not a sample or anything. The seller said she bought it herself at a Coach store and never used it. Can you take a look at it and let me know if you think it is authentic? The serial number is hard to read, but it looks like E1168-18266. Please let me know if there are any other areas you need me to photograph. Thanks in advance!

I think that one looks okay. Other opinions are welcome.

I don't know if it makes a difference, but I was able to Google the Coach employee's name and find her profile on Linkedin which verifies a 6 year employment history at Coach. Not that I don't think people lie on that site as well, but I don't know if someone would bother to go to that much trouble in order to sell a few bags.

I hope you're right.

 

[thecollector629]

The Julianne made with that style number was made of real python. The scales would probably lift even more than on embossed leather.

I've been looking on the net for photos of an authentic Julieanne python and one thing I did notice is that the ring on the end of the clasp that holds the leather links is too rounded and too large. On the authentic bag it's not quite as "round" and not that big.
http://www.bing.com/images/search?q...C88EE9041F64A80F2F8FEEC956233&selectedIndex=0