Authenticate This DOONEY & BOURKE

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Please post authenticity questions related to DOONEY & BOURKE in this thread.

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I'm not sure if these are big enough but I think this bag is a fake. The handles are riveted on, but there is no Dooney and Bourke on them, and they are permanent (not removable). Also the bag lining is black, looks like vinyl - I would have expected it to be tan.
 
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I'm not sure if these are big enough but I think this bag is a fake. The handles are riveted on, but there is no Dooney and Bourke on them, and they are permanent (not removable). Also the bag lining is black, looks like vinyl - I would have expected it to be tan.
Welcome.

I'm on my phone and the pictures aren't enlarging. I'm not liking what I can see and your description of the inside doesn't sound good but before stating authenticity, I'd like to see a picture of the inside.

If this bag was purchased online, please post a link to the listing and seller ID as per post 1.
 
Welcome.
file:///var/folders/xw/k7r8r10j0gg36b7vk7vg3h6h0000gn/T/IMG_4142.jpg
I'm on my phone and the pictures aren't enlarging. I'm not liking what I can see and your description of the inside doesn't sound good but before stating authenticity, I'd like to see a picture of the inside.
If this bag was purchased online, please post a link to the listing and seller ID as per post 1.

Hi, and thanks for your reply. This is a bag I already bought (fortunately did not spend much money) and was suspicious of right away. I am trying to insert some pictures below - fingers crossed that they work. I am not only new to the forum, but uploading pictures to a forum is something I have no experience with. IMG_4143.JPGIMG_4148.JPGIMG_4149.JPGIMG_4150.JPGIMG_4151.JPGIMG_4152.JPGIMG_4153.JPGIMG_4154.JPG
 
Hi, and thanks for your reply. This is a bag I already bought (fortunately did not spend much money) and was suspicious of right away. I am trying to insert some pictures below - fingers crossed that they work. I am not only new to the forum, but uploading pictures to a forum is something I have no experience with. View attachment 3696521View attachment 3696522View attachment 3696523View attachment 3696524View attachment 3696525View attachment 3696526View attachment 3696527View attachment 3696528
The pictures confirm that the bag is fake.

ALthough you already bought, even if from a thrift store, whoever sold that bag to you broke the law. While sellers and B&M stores think it's okay to admit to items being fake or claims on lack of knowledge of brands, it's a seller's responsibility to verify authenticity of items before listing (online) or selling (anywhere).

If you're okay with accepting that you didn't spend much, that's your decision. IMO, anything is too much and I'd (personally) return it.

Again, welcome to TPF. I'm sorry your first visit didn't result in better news.
 
Hi all! I am new to this forum...I have 3 new dooneys and just got my first vintage AWL satchel- attached picture. I have read mixed reviews from reputable places regarding cleaning/conditioning the vintage AWL. The tag inside has been ripped out. If you look carefully you can see some darkening on the underside of the handles and some lighter worn spots along the strap and british tan leather edges. So I have two questions for vintage dooney pic 1.jpg vintage dooney pic 1.jpg dooneypic2.jpg experienced dooney owners....1. how do I clean this without making it worse (I don't want to destroy the patina completely or destroy the protective coating on the leather) 2. Based on what you can see in the picture (there are no stains inside or out other than the wear of age) what would you buy this for? I bought from etsy for $55. Did I get a good deal or pay too much? Thanks so much for your feedback!
 
Hi all! I am new to this forum...I have 3 new dooneys and just got my first vintage AWL satchel- attached picture. I have read mixed reviews from reputable places regarding cleaning/conditioning the vintage AWL. The tag inside has been ripped out. If you look carefully you can see some darkening on the underside of the handles and some lighter worn spots along the strap and british tan leather edges. So I have two questions for View attachment 3706805 View attachment 3706805 View attachment 3706806 experienced dooney owners....1. how do I clean this without making it worse (I don't want to destroy the patina completely or destroy the protective coating on the leather) 2. Based on what you can see in the picture (there are no stains inside or out other than the wear of age) what would you buy this for? I bought from etsy for $55. Did I get a good deal or pay too much? Thanks so much for your feedback!
Hi and welcome!
There's not much you can do about the darkening on the handles, but it doesn't look too bad from what I can see. You can clean the main AWL part of the bag by wiping it with a damp cloth. For the British Tan parts, I would use Leather CPR (apply with fingertips, let sit a few minutes, wipe off excess with paper towel, let sit overnight, then buff with a horsehair brush or microfiber cloth.) You could add a very light coat of BlackRock Leather n Rich all over the outside of the bag the next day (apply with fingertips, wipe off excess with paper towel, let sit overnight and buff.)

I think $55 is a reasonable price to pay for a well made, great-looking vintage bag like this. The bag is in basically good shape and has plenty of life left in it. Enjoy!

ETA: The bag is authentic. :flowers:
 
Catbird9- thank you! I will definitely try that! I'm also glad to hear it's authentic (I suspected it was but got nervous because the tag was ripped out). Does the missing tag de-value it quite a bit? Is that common for vintage bags like this?
 
Catbird9- thank you! I will definitely try that! I'm also glad to hear it's authentic (I suspected it was but got nervous because the tag was ripped out). Does the missing tag de-value it quite a bit? Is that common for vintage bags like this?
It's not uncommon for the tag to be snipped in half or missing, but it doesn't affect the functionality of the bag.

Generally the value for a collector will be better if the tag is intact and uncut. Also, some vintage Dooneys never had a red white and blue tag. There was a period around 1985 where they weren't used at all.

There's a good article here about Identifying Characteristics of vintage Dooney & Bourke bags:
http://www.horsekeeping.com/Dooney/Dooney-Bourke-char.htm
 
This is on facebook so I'm not sure if the link will work for you guys. The seller states it's not the original strap.
Item Name-says "Authentic Dooney and Bourke Bucket Bag in Ostrich"
LINK- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1161139294015882
Pics
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The bag shown is authentic. (It's not real ostrich, though. The leather is made to have an ostrich appearance.)
 
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It's not uncommon for the tag to be snipped in half or missing, but it doesn't affect the functionality of the bag.

Generally the value for a collector will be better if the tag is intact and uncut. Also, some vintage Dooneys never had a red white and blue tag. There was a period around 1985 where they weren't used at all.

There's a good article here about Identifying Characteristics of vintage Dooney & Bourke bags:
http://www.horsekeeping.com/Dooney/Dooney-Bourke-char.htm
I just got the bag in the mail- it's great! The most worn part on it seems to be the strap, which wasn't visible in the picture. Half of the strap is very stiff and bent- won't bend and I don't want to manipulate it much because I'm afraid the leather will crack. Does the Leather CPR help with softening really stiff leather and will that solve my issue or do I need to do something else? Thanks so much!
 
This is on facebook so I'm not sure if the link will work for you guys. The seller states it's not the original strap.
Item Name-says "Authentic Dooney and Bourke Bucket Bag in Ostrich"
LINK- https://www.facebook.com/marketplace/item/1161139294015882
Pics
View attachment 3708632 View attachment 3708633 View attachment 3708634 View attachment 3708635 View attachment 3708636 View attachment 3708637 View attachment 3708638

Authentic. Good seller to point out the strap replacement.
 
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I just got the bag in the mail- it's great! The most worn part on it seems to be the strap, which wasn't visible in the picture. Half of the strap is very stiff and bent- won't bend and I don't want to manipulate it much because I'm afraid the leather will crack. Does the Leather CPR help with softening really stiff leather and will that solve my issue or do I need to do something else? Thanks so much!

Leather CPR is the first thing I would try. Apply generously, massage it in, wipe off excess. Let it sit overnight, then buff well with microfiber cloth.

There are other products you can try, like Leather Honey or Obenauf's, but they may darken the leather somewhat.
 
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